Press Release: The Royal Ballet presents the Nutcracker

[Jan McNulty]

THE NUTCRACKER

CHRISTMAS 2012 AT THE ROYAL BALLET

10, 11, 13, 14 December; 8, 15, 16 January at 7.30pm / 23 December at 1pm /

27 December; 2, 12 January at 2pm / 27, 28 December; 2, 12 January at 7pm /

31 December at 12 noon / 31 December; 1 January at 5pm / 5 January at 12.30pm

 

This Christmas The Royal Ballet presents The Nutcracker, a festive family favourite sure to delight and enthral. Full to the brim with Christmas sparkle, Peter Wright’s enchanting production of The Nutcracker tells the story of Drosselmeyer, a mysterious magician and maker of mechanical toys, who tries to break a curse that has turned his nephew into a nutcracker doll. He enlists the help of a young girl, Clara, and together they embark on a magical adventure; battling an army of mice and travelling to the faraway lands of the Kingdom of the Sweets and the Land of Snow.

Tchaikovsky’s intoxicating score, performed in turn by the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House and the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, contains a wealth of famous melodies, recognisable to ballet newcomers and aficionados alike. Visually enchanting designs by Julia Trevelyan Oman hark back to a traditional 19^th Century Christmas, complete with a magical growing Christmas tree and a golden sleigh ride.

The Nutcracker runs from December until January and can also be seen in cinemas across the UK as part of The Royal Opera House Live Cinema season. The Nutcracker will be screened on 13 December, for participating cinemas and further details check www.roh.org.uk/cinema.