The Nutcracker has always been one of my favourite ballets, the story is enthralling, magical and touching and Tchaikovsky's music is some of his most exquisite. This Royal Ballet production is a treat, whether it is as good as Kirov's production I am not sure but I put it on the same level as Baryschnikov's and leagues better than the self-indulgent Maurice Bejart Nutcracker. There are only two things that I personally would have done differently. Dance of the Snowflakes while beautifully danced would have been better without Clara and the Prince weaving in and out, and while having Clara joining in with the Act 2 dances worked well mostly, there was one dance that didn't for me, which was Dance of the Flutes, her inclusion as well as it was performed took away from the symmetry of the Flautists' dancing.
However, the production values are wonderful, one of the better-looking Nutcracker productions I've seen actually. The sets are colourful and the costumes likewise. The outstanding video directing also helps wonders, it captures the dancing bang on and the close-ups are at a good number and don't feel in-your-face. The story is timeless, and you do feel that sense of magic and Christmas spirit that you ought to. Musically, the production is also marvellous, the orchestral playing sparkles and the conducting while sometimes slow in tempo has a lot of nuances and poetry which the score does need. The dancing is intricate in choreography and graceful in how it is danced, especially in the Pas-De-Deux. Anthony Dowell is a commanding Drossemeyer, I liked how he flicks his cape like a matador and his magic tricks. Alina Cojocaru's Clara is positively charming and Miyako Yoshida dances the Sugar Plum Fairy with such poise and grace. Ivan Putrov and Jonathan Cope are appropriately masculine and handsome.
Overall, a real festive treat of a ballet production. 9/10 Bethany Cox
However, the production values are wonderful, one of the better-looking Nutcracker productions I've seen actually. The sets are colourful and the costumes likewise. The outstanding video directing also helps wonders, it captures the dancing bang on and the close-ups are at a good number and don't feel in-your-face. The story is timeless, and you do feel that sense of magic and Christmas spirit that you ought to. Musically, the production is also marvellous, the orchestral playing sparkles and the conducting while sometimes slow in tempo has a lot of nuances and poetry which the score does need. The dancing is intricate in choreography and graceful in how it is danced, especially in the Pas-De-Deux. Anthony Dowell is a commanding Drossemeyer, I liked how he flicks his cape like a matador and his magic tricks. Alina Cojocaru's Clara is positively charming and Miyako Yoshida dances the Sugar Plum Fairy with such poise and grace. Ivan Putrov and Jonathan Cope are appropriately masculine and handsome.
Overall, a real festive treat of a ballet production. 9/10 Bethany Cox
