Christmas is almost here, and that means it’s time for The Nutcracker! Now in its tenth season, Queensland Ballet’s The Nutcracker is a festive family tradition.

Held from 2-23 December 2022 in QPAC’s Playhouse, The Nutcracker transports audiences to an enchanting world of snow, dreams and magic. Tchaikovsky’s iconic music is performed by Queensland Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Nigel Gaynor.

The choreography by Ben Stevenson OBE, together with the sets by Thomas Boyd and lavish costumes by Desmond Heeley bring the story to life. The stage is transformed into a living room, a snowy landscape, and a palace.

Act I begins with a grand Christmas party. The mysterious Dr Drosselmeyer (Alexander Idaszak) arrives and entertains the children with magic tricks. He gives Clara (Chiara Gonzalez) a wooden Nutcracker. After the party, Clara falls asleep and dreams. The Christmas tree grows, and the room fills with giant mice who attack her. Life-sized toy soldiers come to her rescue, led by the Nutcracker (Liam Geck). The Nutcracker turns into a prince (Patricio Revé) and transforms the house into the Land of Snow.

It starts snowing on stage as Clara watches the Snow Queen (Mia Heathcote) and the Snow Prince (Patricio Revé) dance with the Snowflakes. Mia and Patricio danced a beautiful pas de deux on a landscape of snow. As a special touch, QSO were joined by Voices of Birralee for this scene, the children’s voices floating like snowflakes. Clara and the Nutcracker Prince then depart in a sleigh shaped like a swan.

In Act II, Clara and the Nutcracker Prince arrive in the Kingdom of Sweets. Clara is greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy (Yanela Piñera), who arranges for her subjects to entertain them. Clara sits on a throne, enjoying performances by Spanish dancers, (Serena Green, Dylan Lackey, Georgia Swan, Rian Thompson, Vanessa Morelli, and Samuel Packer), Arabian dancers, (Neneka Yoshida and Alexander Idaszak), Chinese dancers, (Mali Comlekci and Luke Dimattina), and a Russian dancer (Vito Bernasconi). This is an enjoyable scene to watch, featuring colourful costumes and some of Tchaikovsky’s best-known tunes. My favourite was the Waltz of the Flowers, led by Lucy Green and David Power.

Then came the famous pas de deux between the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker Prince. Yanela and Patricio danced with grace, moving together as one.

The Nutcracker is an enchanting production that sweeps you away to a world of magic, wonder, and snow. Don’t miss out on this Christmas classic.

The Details:
What: Queensland Ballet’s The Nutcracker
When: 2-23 December 2022
Where: QPAC Playhouse
Tickets/ more info: Here.