The Nutcracker

Created by Grigorovich, Music: Tchaikovsky
Directed by Yuri Grigorovich,

Starring the Chisinau National Ballet

Lydia: First I didn’t want to go because I thought it was so scary, and then when I was watching it is was so nice because of the ballerina’s. It was about the people marrying at the end so there could be lots of clapping. They were showing that they were so nice that they could clap. The mouses were so funny, the rats because they had funny faces; they looked funny. I thought they were going to come to us but they didn’t (we were sat right at the front), I also really liked the snow. The dancing was very nice and funny. I’m going to ask daddy if we can go again, because I so much liked it.

Well, that sums it up really! I have never been to a ballet before. I didn’t really know what to think or say when Tim handed me the tickets as a surprise. We were sat second row from the front, in the stalls so we had a really good view. The orchestra was right in front of us behind a curtain and lowered, we were also sat right in the middle.

The story of the Nutcracker starts with a Christmas scene. Guests are arriving at a Christmas party, kids are excited about presents and the adults start dancing. Halfway through Marie’s godfather arrives and performs tricks and plays with puppets. He entertains the kids whilst the adults leave. When the party is over, everyone goes home. The little girl, Marie, who was mesmerised by the whole performance, comes downstairs and sleeps in front of the Christmas tree. She sleeps on front of the present her; The Nutcracker, a life size, jester type, puppet. As she falls asleep the story begins.

The Nutcracker turns into a Prince and romance develops. The story is slightly sweet, slightly too dreamy, but the dancing and performance is absolutely fantastic. Stunning costumes, lovely sets and the music was beautiful. The place where we were sat must have added to the whole experience! It really was so close it felt like they were coming towards us. We were also able to see the expressions on their faces, which added that little bit extra.

The story ended with a big wedding. The snowy scenes and pretty white dresses were amazing. For me, the big favourites were the puppets. All the way through the dream, there were 6 couples, all in different costume and character. They were fun! At one point they had individual slots and performed a dance that really deepened their character. Lydia favourites were the rats, I think! The enemy, trying to kill the Prince. I think the main reason for that was the strange masks they were wearing!

I found it difficult to rely on my artistic interpretation (or lack of!) to tell the story. The ballet was beautiful but I might have got more out of it if I had read up on the story beforehand.

Note: In a review of the ballet at Manchester Opera House, the little girl’s name was Marie. In other reviews I have read, she is called Clara.