Nutcracker Ballet Review (2010)
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English National Ballet has performed The Nutcracker as part of its Christmas season every year since 1950. Each year a new production is created by the artistic team, reworking the idea while still telling the original story. Wayne Eagling has created the 10th interpretation of the show for the English National Ballet's 60th birthday this year. Expect Edwardian elegance and snowy adventures.
History of The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker is a German fairy tale written by E.T.A. Hoffman in 1816. It was first performed as a ballet in 1892.
- Read more from the About.com Dance Guide:
- All About The Nutcracker Ballet
Nutcracker - The Music
Tchaikovsky's first ballet score was for Swan Lake in 1877. Unfortunately it didn't go down very well so he waited till 1890 to start writing music for dance again, and in 1892 he created The Nutcracker. Because of Disney's 1940 film, Fantasia, most of us know the music.
- Read more from the About.com Classical Music Guide:
- The History of The Nutcracker Ballet
- The Story of The Nutcracker Ballet - Act 1
- A Synopsis of The Nutcracker Ballet - Act 2
Nutcracker Review
I took my four year old daughter to see the first performance of the season. It was very different from the Scarfe interpretation with a much more mature and traditional feel.
The snow curtain was magical and the ice skaters arriving for the Christmas party was fun.
Certainly, Peter Farmer's set is outstanding and and I loved the party's Edwardian elegance and the floaty dresses looks superb during dances.
The story focuses on Clara and her first adolescent experience of love who she meets at the Christmas party at her family home. The handsome guest is Drosselmeyer's nephew and while the original story has a connection with the nephew and the Nutcracker curse this interpretation brings them together as one person in Clara's dreams.
The Mouse King made the audience laugh out loud with his mocking ways yet the costumes are quite frightening. (As an aside, my daughter had seen a pantomime the week before so booed and did a thumbs down when the mice came on stage!)
Purists may feel the story is not so tied to Hoffman's plan, and indeed Act 2 had little storyline, but it is still recognizable. Actually Act 2 appeared to be just a reason for the dancers to show off their skills which they truly did and I watched in jaw-dropping amazement.
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