The Nutcracker, Christmas' Classical Ballet
Plunge into a Christmas tradition at Salle Wilfrid Pelletier
There are a handful of Christmas quintessentials, including Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life, the 1951 version of Scrooge with Alistair Sim, and The Nutcracker.
This season's presentation by Les Grands Ballets Canadiens opened Sunday to an audience filled with families. There were little girls dressed in tutus, leg warmers, and ballet slippers. Some very young seeing it for the first time, and some older ones who know it by heart.
In the same way that It's a Wonderful Life was a flop when it originally ran in theatres, The Nutcracker received mixed reviews when it opened in St. Petersburg in 1892. The ballet is a pastiche of an Alexandre Dumas translation of an E.T.A. Hoffman story, with a Marius Petipa libretto, and music, of course, by Piotr Tchaikovsky, who was commissioned by the director of the Marynsky Theatre. The music by itself was more popular than the actual ballet, and remains so today, which is why even those who may not be into ballet or classical music are familiar with The Nutcracker Suite, either from Disney's Fantasia, or just from hearing it during the Christmas season.
The current show uses Fernand Nault's original choreography from 1964, with sets and costumes that are brilliantly colourful. There's child-like excitement in the air when the theatre lights go down and the orchestra tunes up. Then the curtain rises, and we are outside the opulent residence of Councillor von Stahlbaum where the fantasy is about to unfold.
Nutcracker faithful await key moments: the arrival of the mysterious and magical Dr. Drosselmeyer, the shenanigans of little Fritz and his bugle, the magic slippers, and of course the little nutcracker that Drosselmeyer gives to his goddaughter, Clara. Then there is the Christmas tree that grows and grows even higher than it was, the battle between the mice and rats, and the nutcracker that Drosselmeyer brings to life in the guise of a handsome prince who dances Clara away to the Land of Sweets and the Land of Snow.
Each performance features a "Mouse of the Day". An hour before the show kids are treated to a reading of the story. Then one lucky little girl is chosen to don a costume and be a mouse in the first act, and then come back to watch the second act.
Before the show and during intermission Grands Ballets staff solicits donations so that other kids can see the ballet who might not otherwise get the chance.
The Nutcracker is a Christmas tradition, and a family tradition, whether you celebrate Christmas or not. Performances run until December 30 at Salle Wilfrid Pelletier of Place Des Arts. For tickets call 514-842-2112 or 1-866-842-2112.
Couple dancing
Nutcracker dancer Calley Robinson
Soldiers
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Myles Beeby said:
On Dec 15, 2010 - 15:03
Super Stoked to see this...
I hear its Better than a Metalika show with MORE tights...