Artists of The Australian Ballet. Photography Jim McFarlane.
It wouldn't be Christmas without
The Nutcracker. When the clock strikes midnight, the magic begins.
The Australian Ballet's presentation at the
Sydney Opera House is a fitting majestic setting to tell the story of Clara's magical Christmas gift – a Nutcracker doll that come to life on Christmas Eve.
According to the Australian Ballet's website: "On Christmas Eve, a splendid party is taking place at the Stahlbaum's house. The magician Drosselmeyer brings gifts – for Clara, a beautiful wooden Nutcracker doll. Later that night, Clara is unable to sleep and as the clock strikes midnight, very strange things start to happen .... Christmas trees grow to incredible heights, toy soldiers do battle with giant rats, and Clara is taken on a journey to magical lands on the back of a giant goose."
Created for Birmingham Royal Ballet in 1990, Peter Wright's The Nutcracker was first staged by The Australian Ballet in 2007.
The trademarks of The Australian Ballet are versatility, technical excellence and a warm, friendly style.
Each Sugar Plum Fairy costume alone features 10,000 hand-sewn beads, and over 600 metres of hand-dyed fabric was used to create the Snowflake costumes.
The 100 minute two act performance is choreographed by Peter Wright, Lev Ivanov and Vincent Redmon to the music of Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky with the set and costumes designed by John F Macfarlane.
The Australian Ballet cast performs on a rotating basis between Matthew Donnelly, Damien Welch and Andrew Killian as Drosselmeyer; Clara is performed by Gina Brescianini, Reiko Hombo and Leanne Stojmenov; The prince by Andrew Killian, Kevin Jackson and Robert Curran and the Sugar Plum Fairy by Amber Scott, Rachel Rawlins and Lucinda Dunn.
Toy soldiers do battle with giant rats in the ballet performance.
According to Jill Sykes Sydney Morning Herald
review: "It is a truly beautiful presentation and the company danced its rich array of cameo roles on opening night with verve and skill. In a high-standard performance, with attention to theatrical details that gave colour and character without intruding on the dancing, there were outbreaks of virtuosity and individuality that set the stage alight."
Watch the mini
doco about the Nutcracker's spectacular sets where the Australian Ballet's technical and stage staff play show and tell with The Nutcracker's treasures.
Clara receives a magical beautiful wooden Nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve
