Rina Kanehara as Clara and Fernando Carratala Coloma as the Nutcracker in English National Ballet's NutcrackerEnglish National Ballet
Meet Clara and her Nutcracker
First things first! We'll get to know our heroine Clara, and the enchanted Nutcracker doll who comes to life to accompany her on a wonderful adventure.
On Christmas Eve, Clara has been given a Nutcracker Doll as a gift by a kindly but mysterious family friend, Dr Drosselmeyer. In a dream, or perhaps by magic, he comes to life.
The Nutcracker first comes to life when the household has gone to bed, as the Mouse King leads his cronies in an attack on the house. The Nutcracker battles the Mouse King to protect Clara.
Erina Takahashi as Clara and Francesco Gabriele Frola as the Nephew in English National Ballet's NutcrackerEnglish National Ballet
The Land of Snow
The living room of Clara's family home magically transforms into the Land of Snow.
Clara's Nutcracker transforms into Drosselmeyer's handsome nephew, whom she had met at the Christmas Eve party the night before.
Clara and the nephew dance together in this winter wonderland.
Nutcracker: Snowflakes (extract) | English National BalletEnglish National Ballet
Be swept away amongst the Snowflakes
The Land of Snow is filled with beautiful swirling Snowflakes.
Ken Saruhashi in the Russian dance in English National Ballet's NutcrackerEnglish National Ballet
Travel the world in the puppet theatre
Clara and Drosselmeyer's nephew arrive in the hot air balloon at a beautiful puppet theatre, which also magically comes to life.
Dancers from all over the world appear, each performing a dance from their country.
One of these is an energetic Russian dance!
Amber Hunt and Daniel McCormick in the Spanish Dance in English National Ballet's NutcrackerEnglish National Ballet
Another is the colourful Spanish dance.
Clara and Drosselmeyer's nephew are taken on a world tour of different dances within the puppet theatre.
James Steeter as the Mouse King in English National Ballet's NutcrackerEnglish National Ballet
Vanquishing the Mouse King once and for all
The Mouse King returns and Drosselmeyer's nephew once again does battle with him.
When finally the Mouse King is defeated, a magnificent celebration begins.
Aitor Arrieta as a Lead Flower in English National Ballet's NutcrackerEnglish National Ballet
The enchanted garden
The puppet theatre disappears and becomes a beautiful garden.
The dancers perform the beautiful Waltz of the Flowers.
Nutcracker: Sugar Plum pas de deux (extract) | English National BalletEnglish National Ballet
The Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince
Clara and Drosselmeyer's nephew reappear as the Sugar Plum Fairy and a dashing Prince, and dance a beautiful pas de deux.
