On the 18th of this month Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker opens at Leeds Grand Theatre. The ballet was first performed by the company at Leeds Grand Theatre in 2007 and is returning to delight us 5 years later. For anyone unfamiliar with the Christmas tale:
“Christmas Eve in the twinkling drawing room of the Edwards’ family home. Amidst the commotion the fire crackles and the pile of presents grows ever taller.
Uncle Drosslemeyer’s curious box of performing toys captivates the children and adults alike, but it is the wooden Nutcracker doll that enchants young Clara most. Share in Clara’s adventures as she is swept away by her Nutcracker Prince into a magical winter wonderland of dancing snowflakes and the famous Sugar Plum Fairy.”
Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker brings to life everyone’s favourite Christmas story, with their unique magic scattered throughout. Performed to Tchaikovsky’s enduring score, played live by the Northern Ballet Sinfonia, The Nutcracker awakens the childlike imagination in us all.
Young aspiring dancers from Northern Ballet’s Academy are taking the role of Mice and Party Children allowing their dreams of performing on stage to come true. I anticipate it won’t just be their families adoring their performances, children are pretty good at stealing the show in Christmas performances aren’t they?
Earlier in the year, Matthew Bourne’s version of The Nutcracker visited Bradford Alhambra and on the evening I attended, we exited the auditorium for the interval to find it was snowing outside. It was impeccable timing. I wonder if Northern Ballet’s version will be complimented by snow in the same way so we have a white city to venture out in after the performance, it would be perfect for the season after all…
The Nutcracker; 18th – 30th December, Leeds Grand Theatre
Tickets are available at www.leedsgrandtheatre.com