Event: Sir Peter Wright’s production of The Nutcracker (Birmingham Royal Ballet)
Location: Birmingham Hippodrome, Hurst Street, Birmingham
Dates: 23rd Nov – 13th December 2018
Ticket Prices: From £20. Family Offer – up to two Under 16’s, half price with every full paying adult (excluding Band A+ tickets on Friday – Sunday performances). Call 0844 338 5000 to take advantage of the offer. 2-4-1 tickets for disabled patrons who require the service/support of a companion. Click here for tickets.
Running Time: 2 hours 15 minutes with One interval of approximately 25 minutes
Age Guidance: Birmingham Hippodrome state on the site ages 5 plus and no under 3’s are admitted
“Utterly magical”
I sat for an hour last night trying to put the production into words to write a review, but I was unable to. Instead, I sat in front of our warm fire at home, playing back scenes in my head of what I had seen. The enormous Christmas Tree on the stage, the way the stage scenes would change so effortlessly. The beautiful pas de deux in Act 1 between Clara (Karla Doorbar) and her Prince (Cesar Morales), the Dance of the Mirlitons, the flawless classical pas de deux by the Sugar Plum Fairy (Momoko Hirata), The Waltz of the Snowflakes. Scene after scene and on my face, smile after smile. As that is what Sir Peter Wright’s production of The Nutcracker will leave you doing, smiling. From ear to ear.
For those who are unfamiliar with the story of The Nutcracker, it is the story of a young girls journey to a magical land on Christmas Eve, where she dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and a a battle with a Mouse King (or rat in this adaptation). The dream is filled with with beautiful dances (look out for The Waltz of the Flowers and the Grand pas de deux by Momoko Hirata and Cesar Morales), the Land of Snow with the most elegant dance by dancing snowflakes and so much more. When the dream ends, Clara awakens to find herself by the Christmas Tree with her beloved Nutcracker toy.
Karla Doorbar who plays the role of Clara certainly deserved the flowers that she was handed at the end of the show. The role of Clara sees her on the stage for the entirety of the performance, only leaving when she ‘turns into’ the Sugar Plum Fairy. In the programme (which you can purchase on entry into the theatre), Karla Doorbar discusses how the role of Clara comes with its own challenges as she has to “maintain the energy and wonder for the whole show” and I can vouch for the fact that Karla definitely did this.
Karla is perfect for the role and having seen that she played the role of Clara before, it is obvious that the audience and Birmingham Royal Ballet also can see what a perfect fit she is.
If I had to choose a favourite scene of the show, it would be the fight between the rats and the soldiers. I almost want to say that the rats were so life like. But then I’ve never seen rats wearing coats, so I’m unsure I can say that. But the movement of the artists of Birmingham Royal Ballet who play the role of the rats was phenomenal and perfectly choreographed.
Tzu-Chao Chou a personal favourite dancer of mine from Birmingham Royal Ballet, played the Jack-in-the-Box . His role caused laughter across the audience and the ability to move and dance so well in the costume, deserves recognition.
And last but definitely not least, is a huge recognition for the Royal Ballet Sinfonia who were phenomenal. Conductor Matthew Rowe and Leader Robert Gibbs along with all of the musicians, made the performance as spectacular as it was.
I don’t want to spoil any more of the performance for you, so will leave my write up there. I’ve given you a sneak peek and I wholeheartedly recommend you get tickets to go and see it. Even if you’ve never been to the ballet or don’t think Ballet would be for you, I’m unsure anyone could walk away from this performance disappointed.
It was utterly magical.
Disclaimer: I was invited along to the Press Performance in return for an honest review. All views and opinions are my own. Photos by Bill Cooper.