The #OurHouseToYourHouse tag continues to sizzle with the announcement that The Royal Ballet will stream its modified Nutcracker on 22 December 2020.
The Nutcracker Reworked is a Covid-safe restaging of Peter Wright's two-act production, but the magical growing Christmas tree, the dancing snowflakes, and other well-known elements will all put in an appearance. New for The Royal Ballet's 2020 production is a battle scene between the Nutcracker, the Mouse King and their armies, choreographed by Will Tuckett. Tchaikovsky's score will be performed live by the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.
Kevin O'Hare, Director of The Royal Ballet, says:
With our live shows sold out, it's very special that we can share The Nutcracker Reworked for audiences around the world unable to join us in the theatre. In this unique situation we find ourselves in during the pandemic, I can think of no better way to celebrate the artistry of our performers and feel the festive excitement mounting so close to Christmas Day.
Royal Ballet Principal dancers Yasmine Naghdi and Matthew Ball will perform the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Prince. Clara will be danced by Isabella Gasparini, Hans Peter/The Nutcracker by Luca Acri and Herr Drosselmeyer by Christopher Saunders. The presenter for this performance will be Darcey Bussell.
The Nutcracker Reworked – Tuesday 22 December at 7pm (GMT) priced at £16 per household and available to view on demand for 30 days until 21 January.
Graham Spicer is a writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano') about dance, opera, music and photography for people “who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like”. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy.
His scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman's Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the ‘Danza in Italia' column for Dancing Times magazine.
Great The Royal Ballet has listened. Excellent cast. A pity that Gary Avis is not performing that night.