Ballet BC has partnered with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet to bring a Canadiana-version of the Nutcracker to the Queen Elizabeth stage. The performance is wonderful, incredibly kid-friendly, and full of Christmas magic.
The performance starts with kids playing street hockey in front of a lovely Victorian home. Soon we enter into Clara’s gorgeous mansion and the friends and family arrive. More than 100 local young dancers are featured in this year’s production; all of the children do a terrific job.
The man who played the role of Drosselmeier in Saturday’s matinee was excellent. His role was massive, his dancing impressive, and his acting authentic. As I had my two young boys with me, I was pleased that the RWB’s interpretation of Drosselmeier was more eccentric than scary and mysterious.
Many kid-friendly components have been worked into this staging of the Nutcracker. From a loveable bear playing with the kids’ toys, to adorable polar bear cubs, to the battle scene being fought with carrots and peas, the youngest members of the audience are entertained from start to finish. That being said the calibre of the dancing is exceptional!
I must commend the corps for their performance during the Waltz of the Snowflakes. There was a technical hiccup with the snow, rather than flakes, snowballs were falling. While very Canadian, flakes would have been much easier to dance around. Every single dancer remained focussed and no one broke character despite countless snowballs crashing around their pointe shoes.
We have taken our young sons – now aged 4 & 6 – to the Nutcracker for three years. They eagerly anticipate this lovely Christmas tradition. I highly recommend getting tickets to the 2 remaining shows (Sunday matinee & evening). Your children will love the performance, you will be awed by the calibre of the dancers and everyone will be waltzed into the holiday spirit.
