Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker at the New Victoria Theatre Woking Review

Reviewed by Joanne Hughes

The perfect first ballet for my eight-year-old son, especially at this magical time of year, the beautifully choreographed Nutcracker ballet, by the Northern Ballet Company, was an absolute treat to see.

The well-loved popular story tells of a magical Christmas Eve when a wooden toy soldier is transformed into a handsome Prince. He defeats the mischievous Mouse King and then accompanies the beautiful young daughter of the household, Clara, on a wonderful adventure of magic and dance.

On entering the auditorium, you are immediately whisked away to a snowy scene with a sparkly curtain backdrop, which gets you into the festive feeling. The performance opens to a comical interaction between the members of the Edwards family who are all excited and desperately trying to get a peek into the room which is being prepared for the family Christmas banquet.  As the wall to the room rises, we are regaled with a captivating spectacle of swirling dancers in exquisite costumes, including all the children of the family who were amazing to watch.

The arrival of the ‘magician’ (as my son thought he was, but who is in fact Uncle Drossemeyer returned from his travelling adventures) brings intrigue and suspense, particularly for the large box that he has brought, which hides two life-size dancing dolls. When the Uncle presents a wooden toy soldier, the Nutcracker, to Clara, there is a wonderful display of sibling rivalry between herself and her jealous brother Frederick.

As the party closes and everyone goes to sleep, the Uncle weaves his magic and we are transported to a kingdom of dreams, in which the Nutcracker and his army come to life and defeat the Mouse King in a skilful battle dance. After this, he is transformed into a handsome Prince and, together with Clara, they are magicked away to a fantasy land of dancing ice maidens, falling snow and a sleigh ride – all beautifully choreographed and gracefully executed.

In the second act, Clara and her Prince meet the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy and her cavalier prince (who look very much like her older sister and sister’s boyfriend) to whom Clara recites the tale of the battle, and thereupon they are entertained in royal style to a mélange of dances from around the world. We particularly enjoyed the majestic Spanish bullfight dance, whilst the strength of the Cossack and Chinese dancers was astounding. The pas de deux between the Sugar Plum Fairy and her cavalier was mesmerising, so when we are dramatically transported back to reality, and Clara falls into the arms of her father, we are left wanting more. The glimpse of the Nutcracker Prince and the Uncle at the end leads us to believe that the evening had not been a figment of Clara’s imagination, but a reality that can be entered into again.

This is a wondrous ballet which enthrals those of all ages, and the music of Tchaikovsky is magnificently played throughout by the orchestra, intensifying the emotions and marvel of the dancers. The costumes were stunning, the choreography outstanding, and the dancing exquisite. It had my young son and I hooked from the beginning to the end, and I would recommend it for both lovers of ballet and of fairytales.

The Nutcracker is on at the impressive New Victoria Theatre in Woking – a delightful venue which houses a large auditorium with very comfy seats and good views from all areas. A delightful pianist entertains before, during intervals, and after the show in the Piano Bar, where there is good selection of beverages and snacks available, and parking nearby is plentiful.

If you wish to complete your Christmas, this is an opportunity you must not miss!

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £11.90 to £50.40 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).

Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker is at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking from 29 November to 1 December 2018, for more information or to book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com/new-victoria-theatre or call the box office on 0844 871 7645.

New Victoria Theatre, The Ambassadors, Peacocks Centre, Woking, Surrey, GU21 6GQ