English National Ballet, Nutcracker 2019, London Coliseum

There will be fewer Nutcrackers on offer in London this coming festive season, with The Royal Ballet opting to give its own much loved production a rest in favour of an outing for the recently neglected Coppelia, and Sadler’s Wells going for another Matthew Bourne blockbuster, The Red Shoes.

One more reason to make sure of your place at the London Coliseum for English National Ballet ’s very own production of Nutcracker.

The plot follows the established storyline: at a Christmas Eve party in a well-to-do home young Clara receives a magical nutcracker as a present from her mysterious godfather, Dr Drosselmeyer. Following a fierce battle with an army of fearsome mice, the victorious Nutcracker morphs into a charming young man, who accompanies the besotted Clara and Drosselmeyer on a visit to the Land of Snow.

Artists of ENB in Nutcracker photo by ASH

ENB’s production is the work of its former artistic director Wayne Eagling, who introduced a few significant modifications to the more traditional format. So, the set for the Act I Christmas Party is a prosperous home in Edwardian London, rather than its equivalent in bourgeois Germany; the voyage from the party to the Land of Snow is carried out not in a winter sleigh, but rather in a hot air balloon, that takes off before your very eyes.

The mice are rather scarier and a lot more intrusive than in other productions; in fact, as they keep popping up in Act II, some would say excessively intrusive, their presence there serving no good purpose.

However, Eagling’s Nutcracker for ENB (note the deliberate omission of the definite article!) has charming touches: some of the guests ice skate their way to the party on the frozen Thames; the divertissements in Act II are a delight and give the company’s many excellent soloists a chance to show their mettle in lively variations.

And the ensemble numbers show off the 100-strong company at its glorious, beautifully drilled best.

Of course, ENB’s Nutcracker is danced to Tchaikovsky’s entrancing score, played live - yet another considerable plus!

In short, this is THE family Christmas treat par excellence, full of goodies for both children and adults – with plenty of matinées available, even the youngest tots can enjoy a very special outing.

Note: ENB normally stage a number of related events, including workshops, throughout Nutcracker's run. We'll let you know as soon as the programme is announced.