English Youth Ballet – The Nutcracker

International principal dancers will lead an exciting cast of local young dancers selected for the spectacular production.  Now in it’s 28^th phenomenal year – English Youth Ballet is one of the UK’s largest ballet companies and previously won The Stage Award for special achievement in regional theatre.

A young girl, called Clara, is given a nutcracker doll for Christmas.  The story follows her magical dream in which the nutcracker is transformed into a handsome prince.  Together Clara and her Nutcracker Prince embark on an exciting and dangerous adventure.  They must defeat the evil 7-headed Mouse King if they are to begin their magical journey. They travel together through the Snow Forest to reach their destination – the glittering palace of the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Kingdom of the Sweets.

The choreography is adapted from Marius Petipa’s exquisite original.  The adaptation has been created by Director Miss Janet Lewis and her team of international principal artists who coach the young dancers. Much of Tchaikowsky’s beautiful orchestral score to the ballet will be instantly recognized.  It features well-loved classics such as the stirring Waltz of the Flowers and the sparkling Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.  The stage designs for the ballet are by Sebastian Petit and the costume designs are by Keith Bish.

English Youth Ballet principal dancers are of the highest calibre and have joined from companies such as Santiago Ballet, Ballet Capitole du Toulouse, English National Ballet and Ballet Cymru. The young dancers are some of the top talents from the local area.