The Nutcracker

Yesterday I saw The Nutcracker. Our main present this Christmas was a family ticket to see the English National Ballet's performance of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker at The London Coliseum (designed by Gerald Scarfe and choreographed by Christopher Hampson). It was absolutely breathtaking.

It follows the story of a young girl called Clara, who receives the gift of a wooden nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve. In a dream in the middle of the night, all the toys, including the nutcracker, come to life and a battle is staged in front of the now giant Christmas tree. Following a stand off between the Nutcracker and the King Mouse, the Nutcracker is wounded. Clara is moved to action and rescues her beloved Nutcracker. He is transformed into a handsome prince, because Clara showed her love for him while he was ugly. They are carried by a paper bird to the Kingdom of Sweets, where the Prince once reigned.

The second act follows the Nutcracker Prince and Clara to the Kingdom of Sweets, where they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her prince. They are treated to a series of dances by the inhabitants of the kingdom (some of the sweets had the most incredible costumes!). The final scenes of the ballet see the stunning Pas de Deux between the Sugar Plum Fairy and her prince, and the famous 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy'. Her poise and grace was stunning. The ballet ends with Clara and the Nutcracker Prince flying home for morning.

I have to say, it moved me to tears. I can't decide whether it was the dancing, or the music (Tchaikovsky did himself proud on this one...) or the redemptive thread running through the story. The moment where the Nutcracker Prince shows his true identity in response to the unconditional love which Clara shows him, despite his outer appearance, speaks so powerfully of grace. It was just beautiful. There is something so magical about ballet. The translation of meaning into movement is so powerful, and you hardly notice that there is no dialogue. When the curtain came down I felt as though I was rising from a dreamlike state - it was simply mesmorising.

I have to say that this memory will remain with me as one of the best of 2010. I urge you, go and see a ballet. You will not be disappointed.