QPAC Playhouse (Queensland Ballet)
Teri Crilly again delights audiences as the child Clara about whom this wonderful drama unfolds! Her childlike grace of movement energises the stage in this splendid Queensland Ballet production of the perennial Christmas favourite.
She is ably assisted by Yanela Pinera in the role of the Snow Queen and by Laura Hidalgo who shows true virtuosity as the Sugar Plum fairy. Janette Mulligan shows her flair in a cameo role as Auntie.
The mysterious Dr Dosselmeyer (Hao Bin) turns up at the Christmas party with a special gift for Clara a wooden Nutcracker. In a fit of sibling rivalry Carla’s brother Fritz (Camilo Ramos) breaks it but happily Dr Drosselmeyer quickly repairs the Nutcracker. Just as well for at the stroke of midnight the Nutcracker valiantly takes up the battle against King Rat (Vito Bernsaconi). After the battle the Nutcracker turns into a handsome Prince (Qi Huan, a guest dancer with the company).
Clara and the Prince head off to the Land of Snow in a magic carriage.
The second Act is filled with some of Tchaikovsky’s most memorable music played exquisitely by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andrew Mogrelia. The Sugar Plum Fairy organises some magnificent entertainment in Clara’s honour. Lisa Edwards and Alexander Idaszak perform brilliantly in the Arabian dance. The Waltz of the Flowers is charmingly led by Eleanor Freeman and Shane Wuerthner.
Ben Stevenson’s choreography brings excitement and elegance to this childhood story. It delights with innocence and dreams.
Artistic director: Li Cunxin Choreographer: Ben Stevenson OBE Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor of Queensland Symphony Orchestra: Andrew Mogrelia Set designer: Thomas Boyd Costume designer: Desmond Heeley Lighting designer: David Walters Performances 11-23 December 2015 Running time: 2 hours with one 20-minute interval.
— Matt Foley
(Performance seen: Mon 14th December 2015)
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