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Press Release: Scottish Ballet presents Peter Darrell's Nutcracker


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Scottish Ballet presents


Peter Darrell’s

THE NUTCRACKER


13 December 2014 – 3 January 2015, Festival Theatre EDINBURGH

7 – 10 January 2015, Theatre Royal GLASGOW

14 – 17 January 2015, His Majesty’s Theatre, ABERDEEN

21 – 24 January 2015, Eden Court INVERNESS

11 – 14 February 2015, Theatre Royal NEWCASTLE

Choreography: Peter Darrell CBE
Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky / Design: Lez Brotherston

 

 


Lovingly recreated for audiences across Scotland and beyond, this winter Scottish Ballet proudly presents Peter Darrell’s The Nutcracker, touring Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness and Newcastle.

 

Crafted for Scotland by the Company’s founding Artistic Director, a famous story-teller and an incredible dance-maker, this Nutcracker is full of magical memories.  Audiences can now, once again, share this dream-making production with families and friends, over forty years since it first premiered.

 

After a fun-filled Christmas party full of magic and celebrations, young Clara falls asleep and dreams that she helps the Nutcracker Prince to defeat an army of giant mice. She is rewarded by a visit to the glittering Land of Ice and Snow, where snowflakes come to life, sparkling as they dance – and the magical Kingdom of Sweets – the enchanted Realm of the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy.

 

“I’d known about Darrell’s production of The Nutcracker when I was a child. The images of the hanging baubles in Act Two was in just about every dance book there was,” explains Scottish Ballet’s Artistic Director Christopher Hampson on his choice to reintroduce Darrell’s Nutcracker to audiences.

 

“A Nutcracker production, for most ballet companies, is a very important part of the repertoire. It is normally the most performed work and needs to be something that will last for generations. Peter’s production had done that, but it needed to be rested so that it could be rediscovered again and brought back with a fresh perspective. It’s no accident that I’ve chosen a Darrell work to put at the very heart of our repertoire.”

 

Peter Darrell’s magical world of The Nutcracker has been re-imagined for today’s audiences by Olivier Award winning designer Lez Brotherston, adding sumptuous layers of plush Victoriana and traditional festive fare to the original 1973 production.

 

“This production will be as close to Peter’s original as possible - the point of bringing the production back is to see his beautiful, intricate choreography,” adds Hampson.  “In terms of design, I asked Lez to take inspiration from the original designs. So, although they are different, there will still be a sense of the original production.

 

“The essence of this being a family production is the key element – and we’ve looked to gently incorporate some new ideas for a new audience. We’ve been working closely with the Peter Darrell Trust to ensure that our new production has Peter’s intentions at its heart.”

 

“The brief of the piece was unusual in that it existed before.  It’s Peter’s production and it still feels like that – as it should do,” says Designer Lez Brotherston.

 

“Peter’s original designer was Philip Prowse and that feels quite meaningful to me personally.  Philip’s work was of great inspiration to me when I was at art school – he tutored me on my final-year designs and his influences have stayed with me.

“It’s still set in the 1870s and has that sumptuous, rich Victoriana feeling – and there are bustles and tutus of course, but some of the costumes have been adapted to better show off the dancers’ line and the choreography.

 

“Those who have seen the production before will remember Darrell’s famous Land of Sweeties – that’s still there although my sweeties are slightly different, and there’s a version of the Land of Snow too.  My interpretation of the house is also a little different and maybe there’ll be something special about the toys that the children receive as Christmas presents – you’ll have to come along to see.”

 

Darrell's enchanting production has claimed a special place in the hearts of audiences across

Scotland for generations.  It sparked the ballet careers of many young dancers who performed the roles of Clara and her brothers - including Scottish Ballet Principal Dancer Christopher Harrison who has seen his own dream come true and will be this time performing the star role of The Prince some twenty years later. 

 

Once again Scottish Ballet will welcome a very special cast of young, local dancers to the ranks of the Company's professionals for this inspiring production in which Clara, the littlest ballerina, is the one who visits the many magical worlds and saves the brave Nutcracker Prince.*

 

Budding ballerinas and Nutcracker soldiers can also get involved in a range of fun Wee Nutcracker dance workshops in Glasgow and Edinburgh; download our special Fun Pack full of fun activities for kids to try at home or find out how Scottish Ballet's magical world of The Nutcracker is brought to life at Family Insights across the tour.  Audio Described performances are also available, alongside free pre and post show talks where audiences can meet the dancers too. Adults can also indulge in some sugar-plum themed baked goods and dance sessions with Scottish Ballet's favourite tea-time treat, Ballet Cafe.  Please see listings for more details.

 

The Scottish Ballet Orchestra will also accompany the dancers live, performing the world famous Tchaikovsky score.

 

 

 

 

*Read more about the children of Peter Darrell’s The Nutcracker

 

The children of Peter Darrell’s The Nutcracker

Peter Darrell’s The Nutcracker in 2014/15 will offer over 40 young people from across the country the chance to work alongside Artistic Director Christopher Hampson, Head of the Scottish Ballet Associates Programme Kerry Livingstone and Scottish Ballet’s dancers to learn, rehearse and perform as characters in the final production. Creating chances for young people to experience working with a professional company is vital to broadening the opportunities available and creating a thriving future for dance in Scotland – one that is particularly fitting for a Peter Darrell production, as he cast young dancers in his original production.

The intended outcomes are to build on our history of developing classically-trained young dancers, taking talented youths on a magical journey where they are part of the story and theatre. These creative experiences can change lives. A number of existing Scottish Ballet dancers (such as Scottish Ballet Principal dancer Christopher Harrison), internationally reknowned choreographer Michael Clark and many others across ballet companies throughout the UK, were young dancers in Peter Darrell’s The Nutcracker many years ago and have gone on to professional careers they might not have otherwise realised.

Children were central to Darrell’s production, and we are keen to continue this legacy, with the central role of Clara being chosen from among this group of children. Children aged 9-12 auditioned for the life-changing opportunity of being involved in this professional production. For Edinburgh and Glasgow, almost 100 boys and girls from the Associate Programme and Dance School of Scotland auditioned, and the children for each performance were picked from five locations across Scotland and in Newcastle.

Costume fittings have already taken place and they’ll begin rehearsing with Scottish Ballet from next week!

 

LISTINGS

 

LISTINGS: EDINBURGH
Festival Theatre Edinburgh | 13/29 Nicolson St | Edinburgh | EH8 9FT

Box Office 0131 529 6000
Book Online edtheatres.com

 

PERFORMANCES

Evenings 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 27, 29, 30 December 2014 and 3 January 2015
Matinees 13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 27, 30, 31 December 2014 and 3 January 2015

 

BALLET CAFE

Mon 15 December 2014 |2-5pm | Tickets £10 | Location: The Studio, Festival Theatre Edinburgh. To book contact Scottish Ballet on education@scottishballet.co.uk or 0141 331 6285.
A fun and informal afternoon for adults where we invite you to take part in a gentle beginners' dance session, listen to an illustrated talk on our current production, and relax for a chat over a cup of tea and cake.

 

PRE-SHOW TALKS

Thu 18 December 2014 (Focus on dance)
Fri 19 December 2014 (Focus on music)
Sat 3 January 2015 (Focus on dance)
6.30pm - 7pm
Tickets FREE. Book via venue.

 

POST SHOW DISCUSSION

Fri 19 December 2014 following 7.30pm performance
Tickets FREE. No booking required.

 

FAMILY INSIGHT

Sat 3 Jan 2015 | 11am - 12.30pm
Tickets £5.50, concession £3.50. Suitable for ages 6+.

 

WAYS TO SAVE

Concessions: £3 off for full-time students, unwaged, senior citizens, Young Scot cardholders and people with disabilities.  Excludes Fri/Sat eves.

Children: £3 off all performance.

Family Ticket: Groups of 4 (max 2 adults) £110 (Wed-Thu eves/Sat mat), £90 (Thu mat). Stalls and Dress Circle only. Not available on premium seats.

£10 Standby: Best available seats for under 26s, full-time students and unwaged. Only available in person from 12 noon on the day of the performance with a valid photo ID card or proof of status.

Group Sales (8+) 0131 529 6005 £6 off Stalls and Dress Circle seats. Wed/Thu eves and Sat matinee only.

 

WEE NUTCRACKER WORKSHOPS

29, 30 December 2014
Festival Theatre Edinburgh
Book online at basket.scottishballet.co.uk

Explore the story and movement from the ballet and enter Clara’s dream world full of marching soldiers, frozen ice fairies and enchanted sweets that come to life.

No previous experience necessary, but please come prepared to dance. All participants should wear loose comfortable clothing, soft ballet shoes or bare feet and bring plenty of water.

Please note both adult and child will participate in the 3-4 years’ class. Parents of children attending the older workshops are not permitted to stay.

Wee Nutcracker Workshops will be running in Tramway in Glasgow (link to page with Glasgow dates and booking links) and the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh(link to page with Edinburgh dates and booking links).

Each workshop costs £6

 

LISTINGS: GLASGOW

Theatre Royal | 282 Hope Street | Glasgow | G2 3QA
Box office
 08448 11 21 21
Book online atgtickets.com 

PERFORMANCES

Evenings 7, 8, 9, 10 January 2015, 7.30pm
Matinees 8, 10 January 2015, 2.30pm
Tickets £8.50–£36.50

 

BALLET CAFE

Tue 6 January 2015 | 2-5pm | Tickets £10 | Location: Tramway, Glasgow. To book contact Scottish Ballet on education@scottishballet.co.uk or 0141 331 6285.
A fun and informal afternoon for adults where we invite you to take part in a gentle beginners' dance session, listen to an illustrated talk on our current production, and relax for a chat over a cup of tea and cake.

 

PRE-SHOW TALKS

Thu 8 January 2015 (Focus on dance)
Fri 9 January 2015 (Focus on music)
Location Theatre Royal
Tickets FREE. Book via venue.

 

POST SHOW DISCUSSION

Fri 9 January 2015
Tickets FREE. No booking required, the post-show discussion will take place in the theatre directly after the performance

 

FAMILY INSIGHT

Sat 10 January 2015 |11am - 12.30pm
Tickets £5.50, concession £3.50. Suitable for ages 6+.

 

WAYS TO SAVE
 

Concessions- £3 off for full-time students, unwaged, under 16s, over 60s and people with disabilities. Available on price bands A-D for Mon-Thu evenings.

£10 Standby Tickets - Best available seats for under 26s, full-time students and unwaged. Only available in person, one hour before performance with a valid photo ID card or proof of status.

Family Ticket - Groups of 4 (max 2 adults) - £63 (Tue–Thu eves), £79 (Fri–Sat eves) Stalls and Upper Circle only.

Group Sales 0844 871 7602

Groups 10+ save £4 per ticket

Groups 20+ save £5 per ticket

Groups 40+ save £6 per ticket

Price bands A–C. Excludes Fri/Sat eves.

 

WEE NUTCRACKER WORKSHOPS

13, 14, 20, 21 December 2014
Tramway, Glasgow
Book online at basket.scottishballet.co.uk

 

Explore the story and movement from the ballet and enter Clara’s dream world full of marching soldiers, frozen ice fairies and enchanted sweets that come to life.

No previous experience necessary, but please come prepared to dance. All participants should wear loose comfortable clothing, soft ballet shoes or bare feet and bring plenty of water.

Please note both adult and child will participate in the 3-4 years’ class. Parents of children attending the older workshops are not permitted to stay.

Wee Nutcracker Workshops will be running in Tramway in Glasgow and the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh

Each workshop costs £6

 

 

LISTINGS: ABERDEEN

His Majesty’s Theatre | Rosemount Viaduct | Aberdeen | AB25 1GL
Box Office 01224 641122 
Book Online aberdeenperformingarts.com

 

PERFORMANCES

Evenings 14, 15, 16, 17 January 2015
Matinees 15, 17 January 2015
Tickets £13.50 - £40.50

 

BALLET CAFE

Tue 13 January 2015 | 2-5pm | Tickets £10 | Location: His Majesty’s Theatre. To book contact Scottish Ballet on education@scottishballet.co.uk or 01224 641122.

A fun and informal afternoon for adults where we invite you to take part in a gentle beginners' dance session, listen to an illustrated talk on our current production, and relax for a chat over a cup of tea and cake.

 

PRE-SHOW TALKS

Thu 15 January 2015 (Focus on dance)

Fri 16 January 2015 (Focus on music)
6.30pm - 7pm
FREE. Book via venue.

 

POST-SHOW DISCUSSION

Fri 16 January 2015 after 7.30pm performance
FREE. No booking required.

 

FAMILY INSIGHT

Sat 17 January 2015 | 11am - 12.30pm
Tickets £5.50/£3.50 conc. Suitable for ages 6+.

 

WAYS TO SAVE

Concessions: £2 off for full-time students, unwaged, over 60s, Young Scot cardholders and people with disabilities. £4 off for under 16s. Excludes balcony.

£10 Standby Tickets: Best available seats for under 26s, full-time students and unwaged. Only available in person from 12 noon on the day of the performance with a valid photo ID card or proof of status.

Family Ticket: Groups of 4 (max 2 adults) £61 Wed/Thu eves only. £11 for each additional child. Stalls and Upper Circle only.

Groups (8+) £2 off plus one free ticket for every 15 purchased. Excludes balcony.

 

LISTINGS: INVERNESS

Eden Court | Bishop’s Road | Inverness | IV3 5SA

Box Office 01463 234 234 (bkg fee)
Book Online eden-court.co.uk

 

PERFORMANCES

Evenings: 21 – 24 January 2015 at 7.30pm

Matinees: Thu 22 & Sat 24 January 2015 at 2pm
Tickets £15.50 - £29.50

 

BALLET CAFÉ

Tue 20 January 2015 | 2-5pm | Tickets £10 | Location: Eden Court. To book contact Scottish Ballet oneducation@scottishballet.co.uk or 0141 331 6285.

A fun and informal afternoon for adults where we invite you to take part in a gentle beginners' dance session, listen to an illustrated talk on our current production, and relax for a chat over a cup of tea and cake.

 

PRE-SHOW TALKS

Thu 22 January 2015 (Focus on dance)
Fri 23 January 2015 (Focus on music)
FREE. Book via venue.

 

POST-SHOW DISCUSSION

Fri 23 January 2015 after 7.30pm performance
FREE. No booking required.

 

FAMILY INSIGHT

Sat 24 January 2015 | 11am - 12.30pm
Tickets £5.50/£3.50 conc. Suitable for ages 6+.

 

WAYS TO SAVE

 

Concessions - £2 off for full-time students, unwaged, under 26s, over 60s and people with disabilities.   Excludes balcony.

£10 Standby Tickets - Best available seats for under 26s, full-time students and unwaged. Only available in person from 12 noon on the day of the performance with a valid photo ID card or proof of status.

Groups of 10+ - Get one ticket free (10 for the price of 9)

Family Ticket - Groups of 4 (max 2 adults) - £66 Wed/Thu eves and Sat mat £70 Fri/Sat eves

 

LISTINGS: NEWCASTLE
Theatre Royal | 100 Grey Street | NE1 6BR
Box office 08448 11 21 21 
Book online theatreroyal.co.uk


Theatre Royal Wed 11 - Sat 14 Feb 2015
Evenings 11, 12, 13, 14 Feb 2015
Matinees 12, 14 Feb 2015

 

 

 

The revival of Peter Darrell’s The Nutcracker is generously supported by The Monument Trust

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