The Nutcracker
A favourite annual event for Youth Ballet WA fans! Both international and local artists often feature in Youth Ballet WA’s annual production of The Nutcracker. Youth Ballet WA presents this timeless Christmas classic a three-act ballet, original choreography by Robert Ray, and re-worked by Tatiana Pevneva (St. Petersburg Ballet) with music by Peter Tchaikovsky. Perth audiences are always delighted at this very special Christmas event.
2008’s production featured Natalia Vyskubenko of the Bolshoi Ballet Theatre and her husband Yury Vyskubenko. Performing alongside them was dancer Andrew Hull (Former Leading dancer with the West Australian Ballet) who came out of retirement to entertain Perth audiences yet again. Another very special guest that was featured in the production is Perth Actor and Performer Thomas Papathanassiou. Thomas recently returned from a month in the USA where he visited various Arts organizations and explored options for touring his award-winning solo show Looming the Memory to New York and Los Angeles in 2009.
The ballet tells the story of young Clara who dreams that the Nutcracker doll given to her by her Godfather Drosselmeyer, turns into a handsome Prince. The Prince takes Clara on a journey through the Land of the Snow to the Land of the Sweets where she meets the Sugar Plum Fairy and other treats including Spanish Chocolate, Gingerbread, Arabian Coffee, Chinese Tea and French Marzipan.
Youth Ballet WA is a Charitable Institute recognised for innovation and excellence in the technical and artistic development of gifted young dancers.
- Re-staged by - Robert Ray
- Adapted by – Sonya Shepherd and Tatiana Pevneva
Interesting facts
- ‘The Nutcracker’ was first performed in Saint Petersburg, Russia on December 19, 1892.
- Tchaikovsky used the production of ‘The Nutcracker’ to introduce a new instrument to audiences: the celesta.
- The first production of ‘The Nutcracker’ was disliked by both audiences and critics alike. The ballet gained more popularity with future productions, especially in America.
- George Balanchine brought his version of ‘The Nutcracker’ to life in 1954 production for the New York City Ballet.
- Tchaikovsky composed ‘The Nutcracker’, and Marius Petipa was the original choreographer.
