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The Nutcracker show story |
Act I
Introduction
Drosselmeyer, a magician, a showman and our storyteller, introduces us to the book of The Nutcracker and begins to bring characters to life from its pages.
Turning the page, he reveals a street full of shops. He stands outside his magic toyshop, and in the window is a wonderful Nutcracker doll. Caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping are Clara, her brother Fritz and their parents. Drosselmeyer, a friend of the family, shows the children the Nutcracker doll, which fascinates Clara. Not wanting to go home with their parents, Clara and Fritz remain with Drosselmeyer, who magically transports the children home.
A Christmas Party
It is Christmas Eve and a party is being held at Clara and Fritz’s house. They arrive home as the final preparations are being made. Their parents enter with armfuls of presents and the guests start to arrive. Everyone is there, aunts, uncles, family friends and sprightly grandparents. Drosselmeyer then appears and entertains everyone with magic tricks.
Drosselmeyer tells the children the story of The Nutcracker, and Clara is transfixed. He then reveals her Christmas present, the Nutcracker doll from the shop window. She is delighted. But, moments later Fritz grabs the doll from his sister and breaks it. Luckily Drosselmeyer is able to mend it.
The guests depart and the family, including Drosselmeyer, goes to bed.
In the Middle of the Night
Like every child on Christmas Eve, Clara cannot sleep. She creeps back downstairs to see her Nutcracker doll. Suddenly, the room is plunged into darkness and the clock strikes. Clara puts the doll on the floor where it is snatched away. There are mice all around.
Drosselmeyer finds Clara standing on a chair, terrified. He calms her and begins to work his magic. The room is transformed. Soldiers arrive to help Clara retrieve her Nutcracker doll, but the mice are cunning and a battle breaks out. The mice surround the Nutcracker doll, who is suddenly brought to life by Drosselmeyer, he breaks free of the mice and begins a duel with the Mouse King.
There are too many mice for the soldiers and the Nutcracker to fight. Clara sees that she has to help and injures the Mouse King with his own sword. The battle is over and the mice disappear.
She spies her Nutcracker lying on the floor and fears the worst. Drosselmeyer tells Clara that only true love will bring her Nutcracker back to life. She kisses him and he is brought back to life. Drosselmeyer takes them on a fantastic journey.
The Land of Snow
Clara and the Nutcracker are surrounded by scores of jack frosts and snowflakes, who dance for them. Once more Drosselmeyer demonstrates his magical powers and Clara and her Nutcracker fly away together on an origami bird, waving goodbye.
Act II
Clara and the Nutcracker are flying through the clouds when they spot Drosselmeyer. They come to earth and are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince. The Sugar Plum Fairy declares that a celebration should take place.
Kingdom of the Sweets
Clara and her Nutcracker are entertained by a host of fantastic characters, brought to life by Drosselmeyer.
The Grand Finale
Clara and the Nutcracker lead the Waltz of the Flowers and are entertained by the Prince and the Sugar Plum Fairy who perform a Grand Pas de Deux. Everyone returns to join together in a final celebratory dance.
As the celebrations draw to a close, Clara and her Nutcracker fly away together into the distance, and Drosselmeyer brings their story to an end.
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