REVIEW: English National Ballet: Nutcracker - Liverpool Empire

It's beginning to look at lot like Christmas! Nutcracker is one of my favourite ballet's and on Tuesday evening it returned to Liverpool Empire and was performed beautifully by the stunningly talented English National Ballet. Choreographed by Wayne Eagling with music by Tchaikovsky, the performance was a veritable feast for the eyes and a delight to behold. For me, Nutcracker marks the start of the festive season and leaves you with a warm feeling, taking you back to your childhood, a magical time filled with excitement for the festive season.

The audience was transported to Christmas eve as they witnessed the opening act filled with excitement and jubilation. Act 1 takes place in the protagonist Clara's bedroom. Clara and her brother Freddie are particularly excited as their family are having a party for their family and friends. The children highly anticipate the arrival of St Nicholas and prepare to receive gifts. We see the interior of the family home and also see people skating on the frozen river Thames outside. The skill of the dancers is fantastic and the set magnificent. As snow falls, your senses are awakened and you, the audience member is totally engaged and buy into the Christmas scene. An old family friend Dr Drosselmeyer arrives with his nephew from Military school. He gives Clara her Christmas gift which is a Nutcracker doll. When Freddie breaks it, Dr Drosselmeyer  manages to repair it as if by magic. She forgives her brother for his heavy handedness and the family retire for the evening.

Photo Credit - Laurent Liotardo

It is then when Clara has a nightmare in which the Nutcracker is attacked by the evil mouse king. As the clock strikes midnight, the stage becomes swamped by mice and rats until eventually Clara is left alone with the Nutcracker who has transformed into a handsome soldier. The subsequent battle between the two parties - the mouse king and the nutcracker were mesmerising.

The scene "The land of snow" was my favourite. The lounge of the family home is magically transformed into a winter wonderland and the snowflakes that fall add to the ambience, fully complementing the exquisite performances of the ballet dancers. 

Photo Credit - Laurent Liotardo

Act two sees Clara perform a stunning pas de deux as the Sugar Plum Fairy with Drosselmeyer's nephew as the prince. Lauretta Summerscales excels in her role as Clara as does Emilio Pavan in his role as the nephew. They danced beautifully together.

Photo Credit - Laurent Liotardo

The English National Ballet orchestra are simply stunning as they perform Tchaikovsky's score with ease and gusto.

Photo Credit - Laurent Liotardo

This is a wonderfully enchanting ballet. It is romantic, it is visually stunning from the set to the Swarowski encrusted costumes and the exceptional technical ability of the dancers. There is triumph over evil as the Mouse king is vanquished and a feeling of optimism and excitement as goodness prevails. It has universal appeal and will be a hit with seasoned ballet goers and novices alike. It is a thrilling production which should form a mandatory component of the festive calendar. Credit to all artists of the company, especially Amy Jones who played Clara as a child and Seamus McIntosh who played Freddie as a child. The young ballet dancers like their older peers were exceptional.

Tamara Rojo, artistic Director consistently delivers to share ballet with the masses, making it accessible to all. This is no exception. This truly is the magical Christmas ballet for all the family. It is uplifting and a definite must-see.

Photo Credit - Laurent Liotardo

Production tour dates: Milton Keynes, Liverpool, London (23rd November 16 - 7th Jan 17)

Liverpool Empire Theatre

Tuesday 29^th Nov to Saturday 3^rd Dec

Tue – Sat evenings 7.30pm, Thu & Sat matinees 2.30pm

Run Time : 2 hours 15 mins with a 25 min interval

Tickets : Buy here