The Nutcracker – Theatre Royal, Glasgow

Perennial favourite The Nutcracker returns to Glasgow this December to sprinkle its festive magic over the city. Originally staged Scottish Ballet founder and choreographer Peter Darrell CBE in 1972, it underwent a revamp a decade ago at the hands of current CEO and artistic director Christopher Hampson CBE and now is presented in a new version by Hampson and a raft of talent from the company. This new iteration allows the company to champion new talent and allows the artists the opportunity to develop their creative voices.

Opening on Lez Brotherston’s sumptuous, velvet draped set, the muted palette is a feast for the eyes. Colonel and Ladt Stahlbaum have gathered their beloved children Clara and Fritz and a host of eccentric relatives on Christmas Eve. An elegant party ensues, culminating in the much anticipated reveal of the Christmas tree and the opening of the children’s presents. The mood changes when the mysterious Drosselmeyer arrives, gifting the family a strange nutcracker in the shape of a handsome prince. Fritz breaks the nutcracker and Drosselmeyer magically repairs it and gives it to Clara who becomes enchanted by it. The party ends and Clara falls into a deep sleep, clutching the new gift in her hands. On the strike of midnight a whole host of magical adventures ensue as Clara meets the Nutcracker Prince, the Toy Soldiers, King Rat, the Snow Queen and her Snowflakes and of course, the Sugar Plum Fairy.

With one of the most recognisable scores in ballet (played here beautifully by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra) and some of the most familiar choreography, the expectations are always high. The traditional sequences are given their rightful place in the work and are executed well, but it is the new choreography that enlivens the divertissements that provide the stand out moments in the production. Of particular note are the Candy Canes from Russia (choreo by Sophie Lapland, danced by James Garrington, Harvey Evans, Mackenzie Jacob and Javier Andreu) and the English Hornpipe (choreo by Nicholas Shoesmith, danced by Andrea Azzari) which provided comedy and acrobatics in one case and precision and athleticism in the other.

In the past few seasons the company has lost arguably its biggest stars, instantly recognisable audience favourites whose presence enlivened the stage by merely stepping on it. Something that was brought into sharp focus when former Principle, Sophie Martin returned recently to dance Swan Lake and blew every other dancer off of the stage. While there are many fine dancers, it is lacking a few ‘stars’ to heighten expectations and provide the magic. It will be interesting to see who rises up to fill their shoes.

The Nutcracker remains a classic and tiny ballet fans, neophytes and life-long lovers of the work will be satisfied that all the glittering costumes, beautiful sequences and festive magic remain. It’s lovely to see some worthy traditions persist. Long live The Nutcracker.

Runs until 8 February 2025 | Image: Andy Ross