The Nutcracker evokes all things Christmas – snow falling, roasted chestnuts, fur lined mittens and eggnog…. Hang on a sec – no barbie, prawns and potatoe salad? Oh well, we’re just here for the dancing right?!?
Scene from Graeme Murphy’s Nutcracker: The Story of Clara
The Nutcracker is one of the “Big 3” in the ballet canon. Choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with a score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (ps. he did the other 2 in the canon, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty) The Nutcracker debuted in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1892. Not initially a success, it was put on ice until 1919 when it was re-staged and has grown in popularity ever since. Various versions exists all around the world, sometimes adapted to suit local customs, but most retain the story of a young girl Clara, given the gift of a Nutcracker doll under the Christmas tree.
While the Sugarplum Fairy’s twinkly-tones might drive us all insane at the shopping center each December, you can’t deny the brilliance of Tchaikovsky’s score overall. It has become a Christmas tradition for many families and no matter the version, leaves you feeling good inside and ready for a hot turkey (or cold ham – take your pick!)
Below, artists of the Mariinsky Ballet perform the Waltz of the Flowers
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOC36Qjug4U?rel=0&w=1280&h=720]
PS – Did you know there actually is an Australian-ised version of The Nutcracker? Choreographed in 1992 by Graeme Murphy (then the head of Sydney Dance Company) it tells the story of a Russian ballerina who settles in Australia. Check it out below – but SPOILER ALERT!!! This is the final scene….
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GcXmszYfko?rel=0&w=960&h=720]