Music by Peeter Ilyich Tchaikovsky -Choreography
by Marius Petipa
Costumes by Krystal Giddings
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.