The Nutcracker and Other Christmas Ballets

[Sophoife]

There is a bumper (okay, ginormous) set of Christmas-themed Links for the first day of December.

 

Knock yourselves out 🌲🎁🎄

[Danny]

Is there Christmas ballets other than the nutcracker?

[Sophoife]

- Northern Ballet, A Christmas Carol

- Scottish Ballet and others, The Snow Queen

- Birmingham Rep, The Snowman

- Northern Ballet, A Cinderella Story

 

I'd also argue in favour of Sir Frederick Ashton's Les Patineurs.

[Emeralds]

Yes, I would agree with Les Patineurs being suitable as a Christmas or winter ballet! (Which means in Australia and New Zealand, dancing it in June and July!) 

 

@Sophoife, are we allowed to include Tales of Beatrix Potter too? (Normally I wouldn't but I'm feeling kind today....Christmas spirit and all that.  😀) 

 

In the UK we consider Cinderella also suitable as a Christmas ballet, although other nations might not. It's really suitable all year round. 

[FionaM]

RB have previously performed Coppélia as their Christmas ballet

 

Maybe better to say … performed this ballet in the Christmas season. 

Edited December 5, 2024 by FionaM

[Fallingislearning]

We saw Edward Scissorhands last December. 
 

The pas de deux in the snow was lovely and wintery, although the rest of the ballet less so.

Edited December 11, 2024 by Fallingislearning
Typo

[Suffolkgal]

Saw the cinema screening last night … from 2023 … not a cast I would necessarily have chosen to see at the House but good to have my favourite Christmas ballet anyway! It’s for me just like watching a big dvd screen. Marianela did some lovely words and the behind the scenes footage was interesting. Quite busy in my cinema in bury st Edmunds and all smooth. It was interesting that it was mentioned that the snow scene is best seen from my usual perch in the amphi!

[solotheatregoer]

3 hours ago, Suffolkgal said:

Saw the cinema screening last night … from 2023 … not a cast I would necessarily have chosen to see at the House but good to have my favourite Christmas ballet anyway! It’s for me just like watching a big dvd screen. Marianela did some lovely words and the behind the scenes footage was interesting. Quite busy in my cinema in bury st Edmunds and all smooth. It was interesting that it was mentioned that the snow scene is best seen from my usual perch in the amphi!

I also saw this last night and loved the cast. I’d happily have paid to see them at the ROH, mainly for Leo Dixon. I remember seeing his Insights rehearsal for this so it was nice to see his performance translate to the stage. I really hope to see him in more leading roles in future. 
 

Anna Rose O’Sullivan was also wonderful and I can’t wait to see her Juliet next year.

[Suffolkgal]

As we’ve often said … personal response to live performance is … personal. I loved Leo Dixon as it happens.

[Sim]

13 hours ago, solotheatregoer said:

 I really hope to see him in more leading roles in future. 
 

 

His next one will be Lensky in Onegin.  I can't wait for that; I'm sure he will be a lovely Lensky!  

[solotheatregoer]

3 hours ago, Sim said:

His next one will be Lensky in Onegin.  I can't wait for that; I'm sure he will be a lovely Lensky!  

I’m booked for the 24th Jan. Can’t wait! Just under 5 weeks away (not that I’m wishing away the end of the year, but I’m looking forward to my ROH trips in 2025 already). 

[Sophoife]

...meanwhile AusBallet isn't back on stage until 21 February 😢, it's Neumeier's Nijinsky in Melbourne.

 

BIG Live however is performing Romeo and Juliet at the marvellous Capitol Theatre in Sydney in mid-February...

 

In March Scottish Ballet is visiting New Zealand, performing three shows in Wellington with Royal New Zealand Ballet, and then A Streetcar Named Desire (Lopez Ochoa) as part of the Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival, 20-23 March, so after AusBallet's Carmen (Inger) in Melbourne that's where I'm going. Jessica Fyfe is scheduled to dance opening night. I've never been to Aotearoa/New Zealand.

[Emeralds]

1 hour ago, Sophoife said:

...meanwhile AusBallet isn't back on stage until 21 February 😢, it's Neumeier's Nijinsky in Melbourne.

 

BIG Live however is performing Romeo and Juliet at the marvellous Capitol Theatre in Sydney in mid-February...

 

In March Scottish Ballet is visiting New Zealand, performing three shows in Wellington with Royal New Zealand Ballet, and then A Streetcar Named Desire (Lopez Ochoa) as part of the Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival, 20-23 March, so after AusBallet's Carmen (Inger) in Melbourne that's where I'm going. Jessica Fyfe is scheduled to dance opening night. I've never been to Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Aotearoa/NZ is beautiful- went there ages ago (both North Island and South Island) and fortuitously managed to see snow in Christchurch in June! Do report back on what you think of the ballets! 

[Ginny]

On 04/12/2024 at 06:11, Danny said:

Is there Christmas ballets other than the nutcracker?

Smuin Ballet in San Francisco has done a really fun “A Christmas Ballet” (that’s the title) for years. Act 1 -  the dancers are all in white costumes dancing classical ballet to a medley of symphonic Christmas carols (no words sung). And then Act 2 is a medley of dances to popular 20th & 21st century Christmas tunes, all dance styles - ballet, Broadway-style jazz, tap. Lots of props and humor and changing costumes (tap dancing Christmas trees!). It is really quite fun and has been popular as a touring production in Northern California for many years.  Many attend yearly as an alternative to SF Ballet’s Nutcracker. I don’t know if there is any of it on YouTube. I will check. 

[Sophoife]

46 minutes ago, Ginny said:

Smuin Ballet in San Francisco has done a really fun “A Christmas Ballet” (that’s the title) for years.

 

We on the links team have posted a number of previews and reviews of this production this year: on 25 October, 21 November, 7 December, 11 December, and 18 December.

 

It looks like a lot of fun, and that it changes every year sounds as if it keeps the dancers entertained as much as the audiences! So pleased to hear from someone who has seen and enjoyed it!

[Emeralds]

On 04/12/2024 at 14:11, Danny said:

Is there Christmas ballets other than the nutcracker?

Now that Ginny has mentioned A Christmas Ballet by the Smuin Ballet company, that reminds me - there is a ballet by John Neumeier for his Hamburg Ballet company called Bach: A Christmas Oratorio, set to Bach's oratorio of the same name. I'd say it will probably appeal to fans of Bach, oratorios, Hamburg Ballet or John Neumeier's work. This clip from the company will explain what I mean. I would personally love to see it live with Hamburg Ballet, together with the singers and musicians performing it. (It's available on DVD.)  https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EH42kXekE/

[Ginny]

8 hours ago, Ginny said:

Smuin Ballet in San Francisco has done a really fun “A Christmas Ballet” (that’s the title) for years. Act 1 -  the dancers are all in white costumes dancing classical ballet to a medley of symphonic Christmas carols (no words sung). And then Act 2 is a medley of dances to popular 20th & 21st century Christmas tunes, all dance styles - ballet, Broadway-style jazz, tap. Lots of props and humor and changing costumes (tap dancing Christmas trees!). It is really quite fun and has been popular as a touring production in Northern California for many years.  Many attend yearly as an alternative to SF Ballet’s Nutcracker. I don’t know if there is any of it on YouTube. I will check. 

 

Here is the trailer on YouTube: 

 

 

[Ginny]

On 04/12/2024 at 06:20, Sophoife said:

- Northern Ballet, A Christmas Carol

- Scottish Ballet and others, The Snow Queen

- Birmingham Rep, The Snowman

- Northern Ballet, A Cinderella Story

 

I'd also argue in favour of Sir Frederick Ashton's Les Patineurs.

I adore Les Patineura! I have only seen it on the RB streaming service, though. What other companies perform it? It is so delightful and very unique. 

[Sophoife]

37 minutes ago, Ginny said:

I adore Les Patineura! I have only seen it on the RB streaming service, though. What other companies perform it? It is so delightful and very unique. 

 

Les Patineurs is in the repertoire of a number of companies: here's a link to the Ashton Foundation page about it. Don't believe them when they say it's in Australian Ballet's repertoire - it hasn't been danced here since the 1980s.

[alison]

Haven't Sarasota Ballet been dancing it this very weekend?

[Sophoife]

You wouldn't know @alison if you relied on the Sarasota Herald-Tribune! 😂

 

Yes, this Friday and Saturday just passed they did a triple bill consisting of Les Patineurs, Rubies and a David Bintley world premiere, The Spider's Feast.

[oncnp]

18 hours ago, Emeralds said:

Now that Ginny has mentioned A Christmas Ballet by the Smuin Ballet company, that reminds me - there is a ballet by John Neumeier for his Hamburg Ballet company called Bach: A Christmas Oratorio, set to Bach's oratorio of the same name. I'd say it will probably appeal to fans of Bach, oratorios, Hamburg Ballet or John Neumeier's work. This clip from the company will explain what I mean. I would personally love to see it live with Hamburg Ballet, together with the singers and musicians performing it. (It's available on DVD.)  https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EH42kXekE/

 

and available on Medici TV Christmas Oratorio by John Neumeier, music by J.S. Bach

 

They occasionally have free trials though not at the moment 

Edited December 22, 2024 by oncnp

[Danny]

Hello. What are you doing for this year’s nutcracker or have you prepared something for nutcracker this year?

[Jan McNulty]

5 hours ago, Danny said:

Hello. What are you doing for this year’s nutcracker or have you prepared something for nutcracker this year?

 

I saw Birmingham Royal Ballet's magnificent production earlier in December.  The run has now finished.

 

Nutcracker is not the be all and end all of the Christmas ballet season so I have also been enjoying Northern Ballet's A Christmas Carol.

 

Is there a Nutcracker on in Hong Kong?

[Emeralds]

1 hour ago, Jan McNulty said:

Is there a Nutcracker on in Hong Kong?

Yes, there is, @Jan McNulty - Hong Kong Ballet's production is being performed now (13-29 Dec). It looks fairly traditional from the photos. I agree Christmas and December doesn't have to be just Nutcracker - it's only in USA that ballet companies mostly perform Nutcracker in December or at Christmas,  @Danny- Stuttgart Ballet (one of the world's top ballet companies) performed Nutcracker only for a couple of weeks from late November. During Christmas (from 21 Dec) they are performing Romeo and Juliet.

 

Another company in Europe is presenting Swan Lake for Christmas. And oddly, the Bavarian State Ballet in Munich once presented Spartacus at Christmas. The Royal Ballet is not dancing Nutcracker at Christmas this year - they are presenting Cinderella. And as Jan as reported, Northern Ballet is presenting their ballet version of A Christmas Carol. 

[Jan McNulty]

16 hours ago, Danny said:

Hello. What are you doing for this year’s nutcracker or have you prepared something for nutcracker this year?

 

Hi @Danny have you been able to watch a performance of Hong Kong Ballet's Nutcracker this year?

[Danny]

7 hours ago, Jan McNulty said:

 

Hi @Danny have you been able to watch a performance of Hong Kong Ballet's Nutcracker this year?

Yes! I also did an assignment on it. I love the ballet and my favourite part is snow from the end of act 1.

I wrote my reflection here https://docs.google.com/document/d/117waPBpAF9gDTQZkC59NZz9-t4Abr6aF64ccDAwHjwA/edit
My quiz is here https://docs.google.com/document/d/19qStZ2S-d1gPQHwToU2e2G-Eog5Mhyo2MdIPxxRAKyU/edit

The programme notes I made for myself https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kajG-PtgvHW-lhMTFMhILbbs3r3eQ_CLXoL_G3WljZQ/edit

[Danny]

17 hours ago, Emeralds said:

Yes, there is, @Jan McNulty - Hong Kong Ballet's production is being performed now (13-29 Dec). It looks fairly traditional from the photos. I agree Christmas and December doesn't have to be just Nutcracker - it's only in USA that ballet companies mostly perform Nutcracker in December or at Christmas,  @Danny- Stuttgart Ballet (one of the world's top ballet companies) performed Nutcracker only for a couple of weeks from late November. During Christmas (from 21 Dec) they are performing Romeo and Juliet.

 

Another company in Europe is presenting Swan Lake for Christmas. And oddly, the Bavarian State Ballet in Munich once presented Spartacus at Christmas. The Royal Ballet is not dancing Nutcracker at Christmas this year - they are presenting Cinderella. And as Jan as reported, Northern Ballet is presenting their ballet version of A Christmas Carol. 

 

2 minutes ago, Danny said:

Yes! I also did an assignment on it. I love the ballet and my favourite part is snow from the end of act 1.

I wrote my reflection here https://docs.google.com/document/d/117waPBpAF9gDTQZkC59NZz9-t4Abr6aF64ccDAwHjwA/edit
My quiz is here https://docs.google.com/document/d/19qStZ2S-d1gPQHwToU2e2G-Eog5Mhyo2MdIPxxRAKyU/edit

The programme notes I made for myself https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kajG-PtgvHW-lhMTFMhILbbs3r3eQ_CLXoL_G3WljZQ/edit

One of my friends did the quiz and got 14/25 just letting you know

8 hours ago, Jan McNulty said:

 

Hi @Danny have you been able to watch a performance of Hong Kong Ballet's Nutcracker this year?

[Emeralds]

@Danny, where are the answers? Also, because all production/s are slightly or very different, some of your questions have more than one answer. If the questions are based on the original production/libretto or Tchaikovsky's original score, then one of your boxes for the names/list of divertissements is missing. Unless you're not counting the grand pas de deux as one of the divertissements.....but strictly speaking, according to the definition, it is a divertissement too. One fun additional question for your quiz- what was the meaning of the name of the original Cavalier/Prince/partner of the Sugar Plum Fairy? (Double points for you if you can type his original name 😉 !) 

 

Finally, The Nutcracker is probably the one classic ballet that has as more versions with their own different choreography and plots than there are ballet companies in the world, when you include the semi- professional stagings being offered around the world as well. The important thing is to go and see lots of good artists dancing it, preferably live, and preferably with the  music played live  by musicians with the dancers if you can. And also, go to see other ballets as well. Hong Kong Ballet has some excellent programmes and dancers. 

 

Well done on that quiz, you certainly have put a lot of effort and work into creating it!

Edited December 24, 2024 by Emeralds
Last paragraph got lost in the ether!

[Danny]

4 hours ago, Emeralds said:

@Danny, where are the answers? Also, because all production/s are slightly or very different, some of your questions have more than one answer. If the questions are based on the original production/libretto or Tchaikovsky's original score, then one of your boxes for the names/list of divertissements is missing. Unless you're not counting the grand pas de deux as one of the divertissements.....but strictly speaking, according to the definition, it is a divertissement too. One fun additional question for your quiz- what was the meaning of the name of the original Cavalier/Prince/partner of the Sugar Plum Fairy? (Double points for you if you can type his original name 😉 !) 

 

Finally, The Nutcracker is probably the one classic ballet that has as more versions with their own different choreography and plots than there are ballet companies in the world, when you include the semi- professional stagings being offered around the world as well. The important thing is to go and see lots of good artists dancing it, preferably live, and preferably with the  music played live  by musicians with the dancers if you can. And also, go to see other ballets as well. Hong Kong Ballet has some excellent programmes and dancers. 

 

Well done on that quiz, you certainly have put a lot of effort and work into creating it!

Have you watched the nutcracker? Do you love it. Merry Christmas!!!

[Danny]

The link to the quiz I made is here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdoeTEw3SPr-urWZDcWKPxThnO5hhkQiY07SX5zpQXkcLeVow/viewform?usp=sharing

[Emeralds]

26 minutes ago, Danny said:

The link to the quiz I made is here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdoeTEw3SPr-urWZDcWKPxThnO5hhkQiY07SX5zpQXkcLeVow/viewform?usp=sharing

Unfortunately it wants my email address. You'll need to correct your lines about the heroine's name, Danny- there are three correct answers. You could say "any correct answer out of the three will be accepted".

 

Also, I don't know what you've put in the correct answer for Clara defeats Mouse King/goes to land of sweets, but in a least 5 major companies with a widely accepted production of the classic there is a different but equally correct answer (technically defeated by the Nutcracker rather than Clara/Marie/Masha). You might also have be confusing your readers with potentially misleading grammar- a good quiz should test the quiz taker on the facts they know, and not their ability to decipher confusing sentences. (I know about confusing sentences as I often post these accidentally here, haha!) 

5 hours ago, Danny said:

Have you watched the nutcracker? Do you love it. Merry Christmas!!!

I've already answered this 3 times on the forum this month.  🙂  Merry Christmas!

[Danny]

Do you like Waltz of the flowers?