Matthew Bourne’s ‘Nutcracker!’

Enjoyed primarily, but not exclusively, during the festive season, The Nutcracker is a two act ballet that debuted in 1892 in St Petersburg. Performed to one of Tchaikovsky’s most glorious and famous scores it is restaged and reimagined across the world year after year.

Two adaptations that brought the Christmas spirit to London this season were Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker at the O2 Arena and Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker! at Sadler’s Wells.

In the wake of The Royal Ballet’s successful staging of Romeo and Juliet at the 02 last June Peter Wright and Birmingham Royal Ballet had a high precedent to follow during their four-day take-over of the cavernous venue.

Centred around a magnificent Christmas tree the story follows Clara as she is swept into a fantasy world of snow fairies, toy soldiers and mystery – where she saves the life of her beloved Nutcracker and is transformed into the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Originally designed for the significantly smaller Birmingham Hippodrome this production is opulent in both its set design and special effects, including a Christmas tree that swells in size to frame the stage. Unfortunately though for me the magic was lost due to the location of my seat. Despite being in one of the most expensive chairs in the house the right hand side of the stage view was completely concealed from sight and I also had a bird’s eye view of the goings on in the wings on the left hand side.

Making matters worse a steady stream of people passed my seat as they made their way to the refreshments counter and by the end of the first act the traffic had become irritating. As a venue for ballet the O2 certainly lacks the intimacy that one usually relishes.

Thank heavens for the dancing then, as the demands of the huge arena were met wholeheartedly by the dancers whose efforts were projected onto a cinema screen above the stage. The snowflake scene was executed and portrayed particularly beautifully and the big pas de deux a handsome match for the emotional music.

For a production with a lot of charm the O2 truly let it down and I suspect that it was a more enjoyable evening for those who were new to ballet than seasoned fans.

Taking a more contemporary line Matthew Bourne’s hit show Nutcracker! returned to the closer quarters of Sadler’s Wells to expectant audiences and despite being seated in the gods I had full view of Anthony Ward’s imaginative set.

Celebrating its twentieth birthday the production has a wickedly playful tone and so utilises the delicious orchestral offerings that Tchaikovsky’s dazzling composition offers.

Opening in Dr Dross’ very grey Dickensian orphanage for waifs and strays, adult performers are cast as the very young orphans and the childish interactions between cast members work brilliantly.

Chris Trenfield is genius in the role of Clara’s Nutcracker and as he turned from giddy doll to a topless handsome man women in the audience swooned. Furthermore, when he and Clara shared an almost too grown-up duet as a corps of muscular men posed behind them more swooning ensued – a reminder that parts of Bourne’s productions are not to be taken too seriously.

When Nutcracker abandons Clara for Sugar tension is introduced and it is in the thick of her frustrations that we meet the Sweetieland characters. A personal favourite was the drug-smoking Knickerbocker Glory played by Alastair Postlethwaite whose attempts at seducing Clara failed in amusing fashion. The flirty marshmallow girls also succeeded in raising a smile as they tottered around the stage. Of course, Clara gets what she wants in the end but her triumph is just a little bittersweet.

Going to see The Nutcracker is a much-loved Christmas tradition and even though the festivities have passed there’s still time to enjoy the best of these two shows as Matthew Bourne’s fun, colourful and engaging number continues to run at Sadler’s Wells.

Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker ran at the O2 arena from December 27 to 30, 2011.

Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker! runs until January at 22:

Sadler’s Wells
Rosebery Avenue
Islington
EC1R 4TN

Box Office: 0844 412300