Scottish Ballet -The Nutcracker at Theatre Royal, Glasgow
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Deb
Everyone has always told me that The Nutcracker story is the best Christmas story of all. I have to admit I wasn’t brought up with Christmas Eve boxes, special Christmas books and only really got one main gift and a few other smaller trinkets or chocolate. But wow – just wow! Christmas magic was brought to life tonight seeing the Scottish Ballet perform The Nutcracker at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow.
Theatre Royal is a modern theatre with the most beautiful winding staircase up to the different levels. It is disable friendly with lifts and specific seating spots. It also has a car park not even a block away that takes care of the parking problem, also at a fixed rate.
Family and friends are celebrating Christmas Eve with the Colonel and Lady Stahlbaum dressed in beautiful dresses and evening suits. The children are enthralled when the biggest Christmas tree I have seen indoors, beautifully decorated is revealed and they receive their gifts. It’s a night of merriment as they waltz together, including the children. With the mysterious Drosselmeyer dressed in a sparkly robe that is swished around catching the lights bestowing a magical illusion around them, performing magic parlour tricks to the astonishment of all. It is comical when the Drosselmeyer hypnotises one of the more eccentric ladies and she is so ‘floppy’ that she moves like a puppet. Drosselmeyer gifts the family with a strange nutcracker in the shape of a handsome prince. In a fit of jealously Fritz breaks the nutcracker, but Dosselmeyer manages to repair it and gives it to Clara who is enchanted by this curious nutcracker.
At the end of the party, the lights are dimmed, and Cara has fallen asleep holding the Nutcracker. She is carried to bed by her father. At midnight the room is filled with giant rats who are trying to steal the nutcracker. Drosselmeyer brings the nutcracker Prince to life who leads the toy soldiers to battle the rats. Clara bravely helps them to defeat the evil King Rat.
As a reward the Prince and Clara embark on the most exciting journey to a shimmering land of snow. The prince dances with the Snow Queen and her snowflakes; this is one of the most beautiful scenes, where the dancers are moving so gracefully as the snow falls. It really takes your breath away.
Their journey continues through bright and dazzling lands of sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy greets them calling upon dancers from different lands. I so loved the Russian Sweet dancers; dressed more like clowns than Russians, they were comical and the way they danced together brought quite a few chuckles. Must say I would have love to see them do a bit more Cossack dancing, but that isn’t really ballet!
Even though it is called The Nutcracker Ballet, it really is for everyone. From young to old will enjoy the stunning décor of the scenes, which were sparce enough for the dancers to own the stage yet be able to translate into the story. The costumes were beautiful, they were picture perfect that you felt you were in a dreamland, watching on to the most spectacular dream in full colour with amazing music played by live orchestra.
I really recommend seeing this ballet as it is a magical story filled with toys that come alive, who dance their way with young Clara through magical lands of snow and sweets.
Rating: 5/5
Showing at: Theatre Royal, Glasgow
Friday 6th – 30th December 2024
Tickets: From £15.00
For more information or to book ticket, visit www.atgtickets.com.