Life
The Nutcracker, Royal Opera House review: This sparkling show is the ideal Chanukah treat ★★★★★
The Royal Ballet’s version, staged by Sir Peter Wright, is still the charming production that premiered back in 1984
December 9, 2025 11:36
The Royal Ballet’s version, staged by Sir Peter Wright, is still the charming production that premiered back in 1984
December 9, 2025 11:36Ballet companies throughout the world are getting out their fake snow and dusting off their giant Christmas trees – yes, it’s Nutcracker season once more and this glorious ballet has made a welcome return to the Royal Opera House stage. It is the ideal Chanukah treat for the whole family and a perfect first ballet for children who have never seen one before.
The Royal Ballet’s version, staged by Sir Peter Wright, has served the company well for over 40 years, and apart from a few minor changes, is still the charming production that had its premiere back in 1984. With gorgeous set designs by Julia Trevelyan Oman and Tchaikovsky’s sparkling score, there is much to enjoy in this traditional retelling of the story.
It centres around Clara and the magical nutcracker given to her by the enigmatic Herr Drosselmeyer. Gary Avis, who made the role his own, has just announced his retirement. He will be sorely missed but the company has a number of fine dancers who are more than ready to don that famous turquoise cloak and add their own particular magic to the character.
At the performance I saw, Thomas Whitehead gave Drosselmeyer a fine mix of benevolence and mystery. Clara was danced by Bomin Kim, all youthful exuberance coupled with a growing awareness of impending adulthood.
The Nutcracker is unusual in that its principal dancers – the Prince and the Sugar Plum Fairy – do not make an appearance until Act II, and then they just have one big pas de deux. Sarah Lamb danced with delicacy and precision, with deliciously slow unfolding of her legs in the adage. Ryoichi Hirano was superb as her Prince, making light of the difficult lifts and nailing his variation with aplomb. Lamb’s famous variation, though pretty, lacked the usual tricky gargouillades – but the celesta sounded wonderful! It is hard to pick a highlight of the evening, but the Waltz of the Snowflakes is wondrous to behold, with the corps de ballet on top form.
If you cannot get to the Royal Opera House, there are other productions to savour. The Royal Ballet’s sister company, the Birmingham Royal Ballet, is currently dancing its own impressive version (also by Sir Peter Wright) at the Birmingham Hippodrome. The company will then be performing it – cleverly reimagined for the massive interior of the Royal Albert Hall – for just six performances at the end of December.
Currently touring the country. the Acosta Danza company has infused the familiar tale with a Cuban vibe with its Nutcracker in Havana, and the English National Ballet is offering its own take on the classic in its annual season at the London Coliseum. Ballet fans will be spoilt for choice as to which particular nut to crack.
To get more from Life, click here to sign up for our free Life newsletter.