https://www.brb.org.uk/shows/nutcracker-2023
A magical evening. A lavishly traditional but also theatrically exciting production (Clara’s entry to the magical kingdom of sweets drew gasps and applause from the audience, which was lovely to hear, and was more than justified given the marvelous flying swan on which she arrived.). This production was wholly faithful, in my eyes, to the mood and tenor of the piece and the transformation in the first act of the move to the magical kingdom was exquisitely done. The depiction of the kingdom was beautifully shown by the silver lattice-work branches and at the very end of the scene, the softly falling snow gave a wonderful conclusion to the first act. It also provided an excellent contrast to the richly deep red of Clara’s house in the majority of the first act. It was all very traditional – no modernistic flashiness with parts of scenery being flown in and out – but superbly effective and it proved that tried and trusted methods do; work.
The only aspect of the production I felt was slightly less effective was the use of the contrastingly-coloured elements from earlier scenes which loomed over the action like the sun and the moon which seemed to be too sharply contrasted to the simpler white and gold pillars that provided the boundaries for the various national dances.
I cannot really comment on the dancing as it is way out of my knowledge base but, as ever with any ballet of any style, I was in awe at the way the incredible physical demands were so apparently effortlessly and elegantly met.
Yes, Christmas has arrived! But I was amused to be reminded that at the very end a storytelling device was used that I always inveighed against when teaching and for the use of which I would deduct a few marks if a pupil indulged in this – viz ‘and then they woke up and realised it had all been a dream’!