Wednesday, January 22, 2020

STORYTIME BALLET - THE NUTCRACKER




Music by Peeter Ilyich Tchaikovsky -Choreography by Marius Petipa

Costumes by Krystal Giddings

Production and additional choreography by David McAllister

Canberra Theatre 16th - 18th January 2020.

2.00pm performance 16th January reviewed by Bill Stephens

One of the most eagerly anticipated dance events each year, for young dance enthusiasts of a certain age, is the annual visit of the Australian Ballet’s Storytime Ballets. Storytime Ballets are designed to introduce children as young as three to the world of classical ballet.   This year the chosen ballet is “The Nutcracker”, which has been artfully scaled down to a running time of around 50 minutes, and presented without interval,  with a narration which explains the story as the ballet progresses.

Sean Mcgrath as Drosselmeyer 

Charmingly delivered by the magician, Drosselmeyer (Sean McGrath), who, at the very beginning grabs the attention of the young audience with some simple conjuring tricks, this narration proved surprisingly informative, including  just enough judicious audience participation to keep the young target audience thoroughly engaged, without interrupting the integrity of the ballet.

The experience commences in the foyer of the theatre as dozens of excited young princes, princesses and ballerinas arrive and kit up with magic wands and jewelled tiaras from the merchandise shop. For those without costumes, there was a dress-up stall, and even photography stand for the inevitable selfie. For the initiated, there’s a mini-museum containing a display of historical costumes and headdresses worn by famous dancers in past Australian Ballet productions.

The ballet is performed on an uncluttered stage in front of lovely, atmospheric images projected on to a huge video screen. The pretty costumes were designed by Krystal Giddings, and the ballet is impressively danced by a young cast of eleven recent Australian Ballet School graduates, who alternate soloist roles at different performances to maximise the performance experience for each dancer.
Clara 

At this performance, Clara was given a charming interpretation by Lilly Maskery, who could hardly have wished for a more handsome and courtly Prince than former Canberra dancer, Alain Juelg.  Benjamin Garret drew gasps from the littles as the menacing Rat King, but also proved a charming Harlequin to Chantelle van der Hoek’s delightful Columbine, while Belle Urwin in her pretty plum-coloured tutu was a deliciously dainty Sugar Plum Fairy.

Columbine and Harlequin

The three Mirlitons, with their colourful striped stockings and candy canes, the two tempestuous Spanish dancers, the acrobatic Russian dancer, the colourful Chinese dragon, and the battle of the mice with its Les Miserables moment, all captivated the young audience, who, almost as one, breathed an audible sigh of disappointment when they realised the ballet was drawing to a close.

The battle of the mice 

Judging from the excited chatter as the audience emerged back into the real world; one suspects doting grandmas and grandads will have little trouble persuading their young charges to accompany them to the next chapter of Storytime Ballet.

     
                                                         Photos by: Jeff Busby



This review also appears in Australian Arts Review. www.artsreview.com.au