After an incredibly busy year in the ever changing world of Theatre Land. I am thrilled to finish off the year in The Royal Albert Hall watching the enchanting ballet The Nutcracker with the Birmingham Royal Ballet and music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
Royal Ballet Birmingham have dedicated these performances to their Chief Executive Officer Caroline Miller OBE who died earlier this month after a long illness. Miller reaffirmed Birmingham Royal Ballet back into position as one of the world’s greatest Ballet companies and her memory will live in on their history.
Simon Callow narrates the part of the toy maker Drosselmeyer who designs toys and dolls for the local children. One, in particular, in particular is his niece Clara played by (Sofia Liñares). The Ballet opens at the shop owned by Drosselmeyer as the auditorium fills up shadows move around inside as they are busy making the toys for Christmas.
The Nutcracker encompasses the magic of Christmas through the eyes of children. Where magic can happen and their imaginations can take them to other realms especially when they are asleep after a busy and exciting Christmas day.
Clara falls asleep under the Christmas tree along with the opened presents. The Nutcracker Doll that her uncle has made for her was played by (Gus Payne) in today’s performance. The Nutcracker comes to life and flies her away to a magical world of snow and ice.
John MacFarlane created a magical array of costumes. From the ballet ensemble dresses that bloom into flowers as the tempo from the dancers increases to the incredible springing trousers worn by the Jack-in-the-Box (Riku Ito) whose performance I found mesmerizing and incredibly realistic as he sprung from the box and around the excited ensemble child dancers.
Conducting the Orchestra from above the stage at the back were Musical Director Paul Murphy and Yi Well. The full extent of the Orchestra could only be fully appreciated when they stood to take a well-deserved bow.
No Christmas production of this scale would be complete without “snow”. When Clara arrives in the kingdom of Snow the auditorium joins the ballet company in being snowed upon, much to the delight of younger audience members.
Christmas in The Royal Albert Hall adds a touch of magic to the season, their trees and decorations are stunning. With two performances each day, The Nutcracker runs until 31st December 2024. For more information about the Birmingham Royal Ballet and future productions at The Royal Albert Hall please use the links below.
Five Stars.
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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