The Nutcracker

Although The Nutcracker was first produced by the Imperial Ballet at the Marinsky Theatre in Russia in 1892, its popular staging at Christmas dates from when the New York City Ballet mounted a lavish production of it in 1954. Since then it has become an annual tradition throughout major American ballet companies who use the proceeds of this reliable blockbuster to subsidize the rest of the season. Queensland Ballet jumped onto The Nutcracker bandwagon four years ago and since then has annually presented Ben Stevenson’s production which originated at the Housten Ballet in 1987.

Tchaikovsky’s score is so well-known that the Queensland Symphony Orchestra could probably play it in their sleep. Under Nigel Gaynor’s baton their performance was flawless. His attention to tempo was detailed and dynamic, especially in “The Waltz of the Snowflakes” which has never sounded lovelier.

Closing the first act on the Snow Queen and Snow Prince and the corps de ballet of Snowflakes, in a forest of snow covered trees, with snowflakes falling on stage and in the auditorium, the effect was truly magical. Camilo Ramos looked a fairytale Prince all in white and did some amazing extended jetes across the stage in his final pas de deux with the exquisite Laura Hildago as the sweetest and seriously impressive Sugar Plum Fairy.

Lina Kim and Rian Thompson excelled as the lead couple in “The Waltz of the Flowers”, Vito Benrasconi found fun as the King Rat and with Yanela Pinera brought a sensuous taste of the Middle-East to their Dance arabe. Zhi Fang as the Russian Dancer did some astonishing jumps touching his toes in mid-air, whilst Victor Estevez as the kindly Godfather Dr Drosselmeyer pulled off feats of magic with balletic dexterity.

A platoon of talented children accompanied the corps de ballet, augmented by Jette Parker Young Artists, Extra Company Artists and the Queensland Ballet Academy Pre-Professional Program students. They not only added numbers to the ensemble scenes but gave the production warmth.

Despite being pulled out of the trunk every year, Desmond Heeley’s costumes looked sparkling and fresh as did Thomas Boyd’s sets which created a fantasy land of wonder. Toys-coming-to-life has been a popular fairytale trope for centuries, but The Nutcracker is by far and away the best. Tchaikovsky’s acclaimed score, a group of colourful characters, and superb classical dance, what’s not to love. It’s the ideal Christmas treat.

Peter Pinne

Note: Reviewed at the 14 December 2016, 1.30PM performance.

Photographer: David Kelly