Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker **
English National Ballet, The Coliseum, 14th December 2016
The Nutcracker was the entry point for many into ballet, either via excitable school trips or through benevolent relations. It’s the perfect length, Tchaikovsky’s chocolate box music is delightful (and probably familiar) and the plot is simple. On Christmas Eve, Clara defeats the evil mouse king to rescue her nutcracker, who is transformed into a prince and rewards her with a flying visit to the realm of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Party. The end. Wayne Eagling’s version for English National Ballet, however, risks confusing those new to ballet – and a few more experienced hands – thanks to muddled storytelling.
© Arnaud Stephenson
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