Brisbane review – Qld Ballet’s The Nutcracker: a magnificent production
By David Wilson
Choreographer Ben Stevenson OBE
Composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Music arranger and Conductor Nigel Gaynor
Costume Designer Desmond Heeley
Set Designer Thomas Boyd
Music Performed by Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Composer Carl Davis
13 - 21 December 2024
Lyric Theatre QPAC
Very limited tickets remaining. Currently available tickets start at $102
The Nutcracker is a much-loved, two-act classical ballet initially performed in Russia in 1892 to Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score. This magnificent production by Queensland Ballet captures all of the magic and wonder of a sparkling winter wonderland. Snowflakes flutter, fireplaces crackle, and midnight dreams come to life in this whimsical tale that takes place one frosty Christmas Eve. Filled with magic, excitement and dreamy delights, this rich ballet is enchanting for families of all ages.
As the festive party winds down and the clock strikes 12, young Clara embarks on a magical adventure as toys awaken, and soldiers and mice frolic and play! The audience is whisked away through a delectable dreamscape of the Lemonade Sea and Kingdom of Sweets, as Clara encounters the beautiful Snow Queen, Prince, and whimsical Sugar Plum Fairy, plus all the enchanting inhabitants of their kingdom.
The creative team at Queensland Ballet has once again excelled in creating a breathtaking world of wonder that was gleefully enjoyed by a very appreciative opening night audience. It was wonderful to see people of all ages marvelling at this fabulous production, and it was particularly delightful to hear the vocal reaction of children in the audience unable to contain their excitement at various stages throughout.
Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score was done justice by the ever-wonderful Queensland Symphony Orchestra in the confident hands of Nigel Gaynor. The music without doubt provided the perfect foundation from which the visually spectacular staging and costuming could combine. There was an extravagance to the costuming of Desmond Heeley that wonderfully enhanced the animated storytelling, and the sets created by Thomas Boyd were appropriately full and elaborate at times, while at others being perfectly scaled back demanding a focus on the wonderful performers. There were also some very clever special effects that delighted the audience throughout.
The performers themselves were absolutely outstanding. The entire cast was very strong and were clearly enjoying themselves. Kaho Kato was perfectly cast as Clara and she was a joy to watch throughout. The busy and complex opening scenes at the Christmas Eve party were particularly well done, with the characterisation and animation perfectly pitched, and Clara’s journey from the Land of Snow to the Kingdom of Snowflakes in a beautiful enchanted sleigh was a wonderful end to Act 1.
In Act 2, in Clara’s honour the Sugar Plum Fairy arranged for a number of performers to entertain Clara while she ate sweets that were prepared for her. Based on audience reaction, many of these ‘acts’ were the standout performances of the production. Ivan Surodeev was quite incredible as Gopak, with his flawless solo breathtaking. Arabian Dancers Vanessa Morelli and D'Arcy Brazier were also magnificent, as were Georgia Swan and Vito Bernasconi, the Lead Flower Couple.
The performances of Neneka Yoshida as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Patricio Reve as the Prince were glorious, as were those of Chiara Gonzalez as the Snow Queen and Kohei Iwamoto as the Snow Prince. The genuine warm with which these performers were regarded by the audience on opening night was both wonderful to see and extremely well deserved.
The traditionally festive Queensland Ballet production of The Nutcracker is a joy for all ages and I thoroughly encourage you to see it.
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