BRB 'Nutcracker' reviews 'Nutcracker' reviews Sakuma in reviews Parker in reviews recent BRB reviews

The BRB Nutcracker never palls with the audience and after 2 years it charmed and thrilled me to bits all over again. In terms of 19th century theatrical experience and what you can do with scenery and design this is about as good as it gets. The sheer mechanical bulk of it all moving is far more thrilling than any computerised video cleverness that you might see on telly or in the cinema. It's the same as live music versus a recording. Anyway I was beaming, and the audience, at the end of the transformation scene and the emergence of the Mouse King, broke in to spontaneous gobsmacked applause. And like me most of them would have seen it a time or two before as well.

Bintley is keen to find some other Christmas fare so he can rest the Nut from time to time but whatever he does will have to be very good to compete. At least he has the luxury of not having to rush because the 'old' production still pleases and pulls them in.

Aside from the set mechanics, the designs still look pretty fresh - a lush Victorian interior and lovely heavy costumes reek of richness. I'm a particular sucker for the dumpy Jack-in-the-Box with the springy legs that make him rebound everywhere. The company brings it all alive with their acting and good nature.

The opening night was danced by a beaming Robert Parker who looks more princely and less the rebel these days. His Sugar (Plum) was Nao Sakuma - standing in at the last moment for an injured Leticia Muller - and a risen star who must surely be made a principal soon. It's a small point but the straight-arm lifting in the final pdd I've often thought ugly and uninspirational but for the first time Nao made it look something sensational and ravishing. I think it's the way she snaps up onto pointe after the lift. But no need to analyse like this. The BRB Nutcracker is tradition at its best - dance tradition, theatrical tradition and if you have a soul or a heart or cockles it will warm and cosset them and make you a burbly kid again.