The Nutcracker

The Queensland Ballet, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and The Nutcracker are a perfect fit and yesterday’s full-house at the Lyric Theatre showed why Ben Stevenson’s version of this classical ballet has become an annual treat. Fairy tale characters and toys coming to life is the ultimate child’s fantasy and this production delivers on all fronts including a magical snow-storm onstage and in the auditorium as a first-act finale. For many kids, and there were many, it was their first experience of magic in the theatre and they were agog with wonder.

The Nutcracker is also the perfect piece to showcase the company, with multiple opportunities for their stars to shine. Joel Woellner was a delightfully stern Mr. Stahlbaum, reprimanding the antics of Pol Andres Thio as Fritz, Victor Estevez swirled the cape of Dr Drosselmeyer with panache producing posies of flowers out of thin air, but it was Ari Thompson’s pantomimic King Rat which brought thrills and screams to the first-act.

Natalie Lu as Clara, the girl whose dreams set the whole scenario in motion, danced with a sweet innocent youthfulness that was incredibly appealing. Vanessa Morrelli and D’Arcy Brazier were a pair of exotic and sensual Arabian Dancers, Ze Wu and Suguru Otsuka clashed sabres with deadly accuracy as the Chinese Dancers, whilst Laura Tosar, Chiara Gonzalez, and Jack Lister repeated last year’s performances as the Mirilton’s.

Sophie Zoricic was again a lead flower girl but this year partnered with the assured and dynamic Rian Thompson. Their coupling was a highlight of the divertissments. Lisa Edwards brought exquisite élan to the Snow Queen with some spectacular pirouettes, whilst Georgia Swan was the perfect Sugar Plum Fairy, but it was Vito Bernasconi looking every inch the fairy-tale Prince who stole the applause. It’s a role he knows by heart having danced it last year, but he still excites with his athletic leaps. The grand pas de deux with Bernasconi and Swan had superb fluidity.

Like previous years, the ballet was augmented by the Jette Parker Young Artists, the Ballet’s Pre-Professional Program dancers, and the Voices of Biralee. Although it’s been in mothballs for the last twelve months, the production still sparkles. The orchestra were in top form, the dancers were captivating, and the stage was continually washed with magic.

Peter Pinne 

Photographer: David Kelly