Thursday, December 7

[dirac]

A review of the Royal Ballet's Nutcracker by Maggie Foyer for Bachtrack.

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There is nothing quite like a lavish Nutcracker to herald in the Christmas season, and the opening performance at the Royal Opera House offered just that. Sir Peter Wright’s production is a perennial, premiered in 1984 and now celebrating its 523rd performance at Covent Garden under the masterful baton of Andrew Litton. Wright is a man of the theatre who knows well how to structure the drama to make the magic work. The narrative keeps the dark heart of E. T. A. Hoffman’s original tale but has a suitable heartwarming climax. The Mouse Queen's curse has turned Herr Drosselmeyer’s nephew, Hans-Peter, into a grotesque Nutcracker doll. To ensure his release, he must not only kill the Mouse King but also find true love despite his unfortunate appearance. Herr Drosselmeyer decides that this Christmas is the moment to set his plan in motion to rescue his nephew and offer Clara a great adventure.

 

 

[dirac]

Dance Centre Kenya presents "The Nutcracker" in Nairobi.

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Before the curtains open, dancers are put through their paces by Cooper Rust, an alumnus of the School of American Ballet, and director of Dance Centre Kenya -- a non-profit giving lessons to underprivileged youngsters in the city.

"It is important to show the world that ballet is not just for one type of person," the American instructor, a former professional ballerina, told AFP.