Kumakawa Reviews All Nutcraker reviews

This performance of Nutcracker was so fantastic that we could all participate in Clara's dream that night. In fact the dream was not a dream but reality on stage. Clara summoned the Nutcracker Prince in her prayers and Kumakawa played the prince's role with sincerity and faithfulness. Dressed in a pure white costume, he supported Clara so reliably and guided her slowly across the clouds in a Gondola to the Land of Snow. His leaps and pirouettes were excellent of course, but it was in the expression of his sincere feelings for Clara that he really shone. He performed the many lifts in this production very well and, if there were a few mistakes along the way (it is rumoured that he was not at his best because he was suffering from a fever) he maintained a rare sense of excitement until the curtain fell.

Yeung Suk Yi performed Clara very well. Keiko Ochiai in her pdd with Kumakawa, generated much electricity together but it was her solo as the Sugar Plum Fairy which was especially brilliant.

The production was full of a Hong Kong flavour throughout - most enjoyable. In particular the Spanish, Chinese, Arabian and Russian dances were brilliantly performed with new choreography, influenced by the Royal Ballet version but original to Hong Kong. The Arabian dance (Leung Fei and Jason Wilcock) was especially exciting. A man sits lost in thought before a golden vase from which a woman mysteriously emerges, wreathed in smoke. Their sensual dancing and amazing technique had the audience transfixed. The Chinese dance involved the use of ropes, like a "kanfu dance" and displayed the fresh energy and new power of a young generation.

Many children attended the performance with their parents. Their eyes sparkling, they cried "Mummy - Teddy!". I hope this experience will lead them to a brilliant future.