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242th Season

Main Stage

14 December
19:00
2023 | Thursday
"The Nutcracker" (ballet in three acts with an epilogue)
Ballet in 3 acts
Artists Credits
Ballet company
Marius Petipa, Libretto author
Simon Virsaladze, Set Designer
Premiere of this production: 21 Mar 1954

The performance has 2 intermissions
Running time: 2 hours 45 minutes

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without The Nutcracker. Come and enjoy Mary and Franz's wonderful adventures as they meet a magician with strange secrets, join an army of valiant toy soldiers to fight a villainous Mouse King and take a trip to a land where everything is made of sweets. This really is an evening of magic: classical ballet at its most visually entrancing, with something to appeal to everyone, young and old.
Tchaikovsky's sparkling, effervescent score contains a wealth of famous melodies, and the production is a visual delight from start to finish. Come and experience some special magic this Christmas and into the New Year.
Libretto by Marius Petipa based on the story by E. T. A. Hoffmann

Synopsis

Act I 
The action takes place in an old German town at the start of the last century but one. Night is falling. It is Christmas Eve and the streets are busy and festive. Drosselmeyer, an eccentric inventor and toy maker loved by children, is among those invited to see the Christmas tree at the large, brightly lit house of Herr Stahlbaum.
The drawing room in Herr Stahlbaumґs house is beautifully decorated. The guests assemble. Drosselmeyer enters carrying presents.
The party is ready to start. The children rush in.
There is a game of blind manґs buff and Drosselmeyer takes part. He is blindfolded. Masha, Herr Stahlbaumґs young daughter, is the first to be caught.
After the games, there is dancing. Now dressed as a magician, Drosselmeyer does magic tricks and puts on a puppet show–The Mouse King Wishes to Kidnap the Princess, but the Courageous Nutcracker Kills the Mouse King and Saves the Princess.
Drosselmeyerґs ideas seem inexhaustible. He makes clockwork toys including a clown, a doll and a blackmail dance for the children. The Nutcracker, however, is Mashaґs favourite.
Franz takes the Nutcracker from Masha and the head comes off in his hands. Drosselmeyer quickly mends the Nutcracker. Masha cuddles and comforts her damaged favourite. It is late and the guests must depart. The party comes to an end with some dances.
Masha says goodnight to the Nutcracker and the candles on the tree are extinguished. Mashaґs nanny takes her to bed.

Act II 
Masha goes to bed and falls asleep. She dreams that mice have taken over the drawing room. They are headed by the Mouse King.
The Nutcracker leads the tin soldiers in the attack. Masha follows him. Overcoming her fear, she throws her slipper at the Mouse King at a decisive point in the battle, thus saving the Nutcracker. The Mouse King has been defeated and disappears together with his troops.
Drosselmeyer turns Masha and the Nutcracker into a beautiful Prince and Princess. They are caught up in a blizzard and their journey to a fairy-tale land begins.

Act III 
Masha and the Nutcracker are sailing along a magical river. The Nutcracker drives away some bats and clears the way to an enchanted island.
Celebrations begin. Masha and the Nutcracker are delighted. They dance and celebrate with the others.

Epilogue
Masha is asleep in bed. It will soon be morning. Her magical dream is over. Masha awakes.

 

Peter Tchaikovsky "The Nutcracker" (ballet in two acts) 
Characters

Stahlbaum, medical councilor

His Wife

Marie, their daughter

Fritz, brother to Marie

Drosselmeyer, legal councilor and godfather to Marie and Fritz

The Nutcracker-Doll

The Nutcracker-Prince

The Mouse King

Harlequin

Columbine

She-Devil

He-Devil

Spanish Dolls

Indian Dolls

Chinese Dolls

Russian Dolls

French Dolls

 


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