Hats off to English Nationwide Ballet (ENB) for restoring some “festive sparkle” with its brand-new manufacturing of “The Nutcracker”, mentioned Debra Craine in The Instances. Frankly, the earlier model was a “dreary, dispiriting affair”, regardless of filling theatres at Christmas for over a decade.
The revamped manufacturing is a big enchancment, agreed Lyndsey Winship in The Guardian. Inventive director Aaron S Watkin eschews gimmicks and would not try to reinterpret Tchaikovsky’s ballet too drastically; as a substitute he is collaborated with rising star choreographer, Arielle Smith, and “cracking” designer, Dick Hen, to essentially “make the stage zing”.
Set in Edwardian London with the dome of St Paul’s seen within the background, chimney sweeps and suffragettes fill the stage. Right here, eccentric toymaker Drosselmeyer runs a sweets emporium (“very ‘Willy Wonka'”) and is “the particular person pulling all of the strings”.
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Quickly, we’re transported to the Stahlbaums’ “bougie” household residence, mentioned David Jays in London’s The Normal. After their Christmas occasion “little Clara creeps downstairs” and begins dreaming of “magical” characters that replicate her waking world: her aunt is remodeled into the Ice Queen, whereas her mom turns into the Sugar Plum Fairy. The latter is performed by Emma Hawes whose footwork is like “delicate piping-bag tracery throughout the ground”. “Time stands nonetheless when she seems.”
“Enjoyable, cohesive and astoundingly fairly”, ENB’s new manufacturing delivers “High quality Road ranges of moreish pleasure”. One of many few “misjudgments” is the choice to make Drosselmeyer “positively creepy”, and within the midst of the cost-of-living disaster you may “wince” on the “privileged tots” parading their extravagant presents.
“I might hoped for somewhat extra choreographic razzmatazz”, mentioned Mark Monahan in The Telegraph, however this “sweet-toothed new ‘Nutcracker’ is a particular step up from the previous, and one which I can think about my two younger kids discovering notably engaging”.
Within the second act, we’re “handled” to a “parade of world delicacies” from kids as “very cute” Liquorice Allsorts to Rentaro Nakaaki as a “spinning, leaping Ukrainian poppy seed roll”, added Winship in The Guardian. “The entire thing feels acquainted however recent, vibrant however nonetheless stylish, candy however not sickly. A stable success.”
At London Coliseum till 12 January
