This Christmas The Royal Ballet will stream its spectacular production of The Nutcracker Reworked on Tuesday 22 December at 7pm (GMT) priced at £16 per household and will be available to view on demand for 30 days until 21 January.
What better way to celebrate the festive period than with this much-loved production, streamed into homes around the world for the first time.
Royal Ballet Principal dancers Yasmine Naghdi and Matthew Ball will perform the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Prince. Clara will be performed by Isabella Gasparini, Hans Peter/The Nutcracker by Luca Acri and Herr Drosselmeyer by Christopher Saunders. The evening will be presented by former Royal Ballet Principal Darcey Bussell.
Yasmine Naghdi as The Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, The Royal Ballet. Photographed by Karolina Kuras
Yasmine Naghdi as The Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, The Royal Ballet. Photographed by Karolina KurasThe Nutcracker Reworked is a COVID-safe restaging of Peter Wright’s celebrated two-act production and retains much-loved elements of this cherished classic, from the magical growing Christmas tree, to the enchanting Dance of the Snowflakes. New for The Royal Ballet’s 2020 production is a battle scene between the Nutcracker, the Mouse King and their armies, choreographed by Will Tuckett. Combined with Tchaikovsky‘s sumptuous score, performed live by the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, and charming designs by Julia Trevelyan Oman, this classic ballet is not to be missed.
Yasmine Naghdi as The Sugar Plum Fairy and Matthew Ball as The Prince in The Nutcracker, The Royal Ballet. Photographed by Karolina Kuras
Yasmine Naghdi as The Sugar Plum Fairy and Matthew Ball as The Prince in The Nutcracker, The Royal Ballet. Photographed by Karolina KurasKevin O’Hare, Director of The Royal Ballet comments: “With our live shows sold out, it’s very special that we can share The Nutcracker Reworked, a 2020 restaging of Peter Wright’s cherished production for audiences around the world unable to join us in the theatre. In this unique situation we find ourselves in during the pandemic, I can think of no better way to celebrate the artistry of our performers and feel the festive excitement mounting so close to Christmas Day.”
The Nutcracker by The Royal Ballet. Photo © Tristram Kenton
The Nutcracker by The Royal Ballet. Photo © Tristram KentonThe Nutcracker is based on E.T.A Hoffmann’s beloved Christmas tale. The story follows Clara and the enchanted Nutcracker as they defeat the evil Mouse King and go on a magical journey to the Kingdom of Sweets where they meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and an array of other memorable characters. The ballet is set to one of Tchaikovsky’s most ravishing scores, which perfectly captures the spirit of the festive season.
Full details of ROH streaming and digital content can be viewed here.
Featured image: Yasmine Naghdi as The Sugar Plum Fairy and Matthew Ball as The Prince in The Nutcracker, The Royal Ballet. Photographed by Karolina Kuras