BRB ‘Nutcraker’ reviews all ‘Nutcracker’ reviews all BRB reviews

"As the dancing reaches its climax the dream-world vanishes and Clara awakens at the foot of the Christmas tree".

Only one word comes to mind to describe Peter Wright's production of The Nutcracker: Magical!. The time since I last saw any version is measured in decade units, and I had completely forgotten what a wonderful ballet this is, and I rarely surfaced from a trance! Tonight's performance was danced with enthusiasm and polish; normally I consider that there are few things more nauseating than children on stage, but these were delightful, natural and unaffected. The Snowflakes were crisp and frosty, and the Second Act divertissment wasn't even boring, with Clara (Carole-Anne Millar) integrating the national items to provide a continuous thread throughout.

Perhaps the most stunning aspect of this production (and I have heard this said elsewhere) is the set. The transformations, especially the enlargement scene and the conversion to ice-land, defy description and have to be seen (that is, if you can get a ticket, the whole run is now fully booked). I have never heard applause just for a set before. Only one thing bugged me a bit - the giant bird which bore Clara into the second act was an ornitholgical nightmare. I think it was supposed to be a swan, but had the head and neck of an ostrich, the body of a swan (maybe), the wings of a crane and the tail of a pheasant. Oh well, I suppose anything goes in fantasy-land.

The principals, Nao Sakuma (Sugar Plum Fairy) and Chi Cao (the Prince) were immaculate in their solo variations, but maybe lacked a little confidence dancing together. Michael O'Hare was a thrilling and convincing Drosselmeyer.

Man of the Match
Clara has a key linking role throughout the ballet. I thought Carole-Anne's rendering was terrific. There is a lovely moment near the beginning when the teenager is torn between her dancing-partner (would-be boyfriend?) and her new found Nutcracker toy. She knew when, and how, to steal the show when called for, and how to become unobtrusive when appropriate. And her reaction to waking under the Christmas tree to discover she had been dreaming was an emotional fix if ever I saw one.