English National Ballet, Nutcracker review ★★★★★

English National Ballet’s Nutcracker is the brainchild of the company’s former artistic director Wayne Eagling, and although some of its plot decisions are questionable, the production does not stint on the expected Christmas magic: a giant Christmas tree, a gaggle of excited children mobbing the present-giving St Nicholas, a mysterious magician, and a little girl’s dream of dancing snowflakes, exotic divertissements, even a hot-air balloon…

With ENB in splendid form, this Nutcracker (note the dropping of the definite article) remains an enjoyable seasonal treat, full of sparkling dancing to Tchaikovsky’s glorious score, played live by the ENB Philharmonic under Gavin Sutherland.

Some of Eagling’s decisions are inspired. A prologue to the main story, for example, is set in Clara’s bedroom with its duck-egg blue walls and large mullioned window (designs Peter Farmer), where the little girl is getting ready to attend the Christmas Eve party, and being teased by her tiresome brother Freddie.

Also very effective and atmospheric was the decision to have people ice skating outside Clara’s house, as the guests arrive for the party.

More questionable, and downright confusing, was the idea of having the titular nutcracker split between two dancers. One moment Clara is dancing with the nutcracker in military uniform complete with wooden mask, the next with Drosselmeyer’s handsome military cadet nephew, only to return to the nutcracker.

There's also a surplus of mice.

Artists of English National Ballet in Nutcracker. Photo: Laurent Liotardo
Whereas in most other productions the battle between mice and toy soldiers ends in Act I with the death of the Mouse King, in this production the battle, though long and fierce, ends inconclusively leaving the Mouse King free to meddle in the action in Act II. Although on press night James Streeter had great fun as an intrusive, mock-scary Mouse King, we could really do with a lot less of this character.

In this, as in other productions, the role of Clara is split between a child (Tring Park student Millicent Honour) and an adult dancer, soloist Julia Conway on press night. Her nutcracker was Fernando Carratalá Coloma, and when in human form lead principal Francesco Gabriele Frola.

There is no Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince in Eagling’s Nutcracker; rather the emblematic pas de deux that marks the culmination of the ballet is danced by Clara and the Nephew.

Julia Conway as Clara, Francesco Gabriele Frola as The Nephew in ENB's Nutcracker. Photo: Laurent Liotardo
Julia Conway is surely on the fast track to promotion. A young dancer with a very strong technique, soft arms and beautiful feet, she acquitted herself well in this extremely difficult pas de deux, ably partnered by Francesco Gabrielle Frola, himself a precise and very elegant dancer.

The corps de ballet shone in its two big numbers: the Waltz of the Flowers in Act II and the Snowflakes in Act I.

Artists of English National Ballet in Nutcracker. Photo: Laurent Liotardo
Elsewhere, Ken Saruhashi was a vigorous male lead in the Russian dance and Precious Adams worked hard as Clara’s big sister, a Lead Snowflake and an exotic butterfly in the Mirliton dance in Act II partnered by Fabian Reimair as Drosselmeyer.