Become a Member
Theatre

Dance review: The Nutcracker

Joy Sable enjoys a seasonal favourite

December 6, 2018 12:50
The Nutcracker. Gary Avis as Drosslemeyer. -®ROH, Bill Cooper, 2013

By

Joy Sable,

Joy Sable

1 min read

It’s that time of year again, when ballet companies dust off their giant Christmas trees, shake up their snowflakes, and make sure their plums are well and truly sugared… yes, The Nutcracker is back in town.

Both the Birmingham Royal Ballet and the English National Ballet are presenting their own versions of the popular tale over the next few weeks, but it will take a lot to beat the Royal Ballet’s production which opened at the Royal Opera House on Monday night.

First performed in 1984, Sir Peter Wright’s production has undergone some tweaking since then. The main change is that Clara joins in the Act II dances, and this has done much to improve the narrative and link the two acts, which can otherwise seem disjointed.

Gary Avis has made the role of Drosselmeyer his own. All his tricks in the Act I party scene are pulled off with aplomb, and he twirls his magnificent turquoise cape and dispenses magic glitter around the stage with relish.