The Nutcracker: Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Thursday 10th January, 2013.
It’s a Christmas classic, but the Scottish Ballet’s take on this distinctive and memorable show is just as fresh as ever, and an enjoyable feast for all eyes to behold.
Enchanting and beautiful, we’re taken on a winter wonderland journey as the story of The Nutcracker unravels before us, with twists and turns and some amazing dancing all the way through. Highlights include an enchanted dollhouse, a nutcracker who turns into a handsome prince, and an evil governess/Mouserink.
The costumes are eye-catching, colourful and work well with the distinctive and at times, intriguing (but always stylish) surroundings, as a fantastic and delightful take on ETA Hoffmann’s original story Nutcracker and the King of Mice.
Eric Callavari was elegant and graceful as the prince, while The Nutcracker himself was played by Luke Ahmet who at one point stumbled out of the dollhouse with some fantastic coming-to-life moves making his legs almost appear wooden.
Bethany Kingsley-Garner’s Marie was a joy to watch all the way through with her vulnerable and endearing expressions and at times breathtakingly energetic performances.
Overall the choereography was intelligent and worked perfectly throughout the show, along with Tchaikovsky’s score – another great job by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra, who performed live.
Final thoughts: like a vivid, captivating dream I didn’t want to wake up from. Five stars.
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