The dancers have been back for a week's rehearsals before they go off for another 3 weeks of performing, this gives our artistic team a chance to prepare The Nutcracker for a three week spot at the Coliseum. Tchaikovsky's famous themes go running down the corridor at Markova house and we find ourselves completely at ease with Christmas decorations and lights going up in shops everywhere.

The Costume department are busy adjusting costumes for the new dancers that we've received since we last did the festive show and refurbishing any costume that needs some TLC since they went into storage last Christmas. Everything must be checked at our storage facility so there is time to reorder and replace any of the hundreds of costumes, jewellery, masks, wigs and shoes.

Thanks to our fabulous Stock Keeper this is made easy by the meticulous cataloging of materials and suppliers for every costume ever made at English National Ballet. If anything has gone out of stock it is up to Gerry to resource in time for it to be made into the appropriate garment and fitted to our dancers.