Queen Elizabeth Theatre
6:30pm / 1:30pm
Dec 12 13 14
Under the new Artistic Directorship of Christopher Stowell, Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet returns to the stage in Vancouver with their iconic production of Nutcracker. Founded in 1939, the RWB is one of North America’s most historic dance companies, known for developing some of the world’s most talented classical ballet dancers through their school and company.
Set to a gorgeous Tchaikovsky score, this charming, fantastical rendition of the classic story follows the adventures of Clara, her Nutcracker Prince, the Sugar Plum Fairy and more timeless characters as they discover the wonder of a distinctly Canadian holiday—hockey rink and all!
Galina Yordanova
Nina Menon
RWB Artistic Staff
Composer
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Please be aware that balletbc.com is the only authorized ticket seller for RWB’s Nutcracker.
Synopsis
‘Tis the night before Christmas and everyone at young Clara’s house is getting ready for the big Christmas party—Clara herself looks in her bedroom mirror as she practices her ballet steps.
As the party begins and family arrives, the Christmas tree is brought in by Mr. Drosselmeier and his son Julien, who Clara takes a liking to. As a present, Mr. Drosselmeier gives Clara a hand-crafted Nutcracker, and she imagines it coming alive to dance with her.
The lively party soon dies down and Clara falls asleep clutching her Nutcracker, rudely awakened by the terrifying Mouse King, who tries to steal her new toy. When the clock strikes midnight, Mr. Drosselmeier is there and tells Clara that she has nothing to fear.
The room and Christmas tree grow and change. Clara is attacked by scurrying mice, and her toy Nutcracker comes alive as a Nutcracker Prince to chase them away! Toy soldiers battle fiercely against the mice and the Prince is gravely injured by the evil Mouse King.
Clara manages to defeat the Mouse King and professes her love for the Prince just as Mr. Drosselmeier brings him back to life, revealing it was his son Julien all along. Julien and Clara walk hand in hand into a magical pine forest, where snow begins to fall.
Back in the Sugar Plum Fairy’s kingdom, Clara’s dream world, she and Julien are warmly welcomed with dances from many different lands. The Prince dances with Clara, who floats in time to the music. Soon, all the inhabitants of the magical land gather to bid her farewell.
When Clara awakens, she is happy to be in her own bedroom with her Nutcracker, who stands proudly next to her.
