Aaron S. Watkin
Choreography, Concept
Nutcracker
London Coliseum
2 hours including one interval
The magical Christmas tradition for all the family!
This festive season, join Clara on a fantastical adventure where anything is possible. Embark on a journey full of colour and wonder as English National Ballet brings Nutcracker to life with over 100 dancers and musicians.
It’s Christmas Eve in Edwardian London. Clara and her mother are shopping at Drosselmeyer’s Sweets & Delights Emporium where she meets an enchanted Nutcracker doll. They take home liquorice all-sorts, nougat, marzipan and of course, sugarplums, to delight their party guests. As music and laughter fill the house, Clara has a magical sugar plum vision, sparking an adventure in which she bravely defends her home from the Rat King before discovering a dazzling ice realm and its Queen. Step out of the ordinary and follow Clara as she travels to the Land of Sweets & Delights where the Sugar Plum Fairy has arranged a grand celebration in her honour.
“Vibrant” (Financial Times) and “astoundingly pretty” (The London Standard), English National Ballet’s acclaimed production burst onto the stage in 2024. It returns to the London Coliseum to bring you a delicious taste of Christmas delight.
Choreographed by Artistic Director, Aaron S. Watkin, and Olivier Award-winner Arielle Smith, this classic festive ballet combines exquisite dancing with spectacular sets and costumes designed by Dick Bird. English National Ballet Philharmonic perform Tchaikovsky’s iconic score live.
From the orchestra warming up, to the final bows and applause, your ticket to magical memories with friends and family awaits!
★★★★ A feast for the eyes… it all feels like a real Christmas giftThe Stage
Friends of English National Ballet receive a discount on tickets (T&Cs apply). Become a Friend today.
Lead Supporter: Charles Holloway OBE
Main image dancer: Ivana Bueno. Photo © Jason Bell. Creative Direction: Charlotte Wilkinson Studio.
Dates & venues
Credits
Lead Supporter
Charles Holloway OBE
Explore
CREATIVE TEAM
Arielle Smith
Choreography, Concept
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Music
Dick Bird
Costume and Set Design, Concept
Paul Pyant
Lighting Design
Leo Flint
Video Design
John Bulleid
Illusion Designer and Director
Reviews
“Astoundingly pretty – delivers Quality Street levels of moreish pleasure”
The London Standard
Discounts
Only one discount applies per ticket and all discounts are subject to availability. Available from the London Coliseum Box Office or website ONLY.
- Friends of English National Ballet
20% off Stalls, Dress and Upper Circle, excluding the top price tickets, max. 6 tickets. Become a Friend today to receive your discount code. - Half price tickets for children under 16 years
Book up to two half price tickets for children under 16 with each full paying adult.
Please note children under 5 are not allowed in the auditorium, except at the Family Friendly performance. - Family Friendly performance
Saturday 3 January 2.30pm
Children under 5 are allowed to attend this performance. Children only pay the £2.25 booking fee (up to 2 under-16s per full-paying adult). - Groups 10+
Save 20% per ticket. Valid Mon-Thu (all performances) and Fri matinees. Not valid on the top two price bands. Contact the Box Office to reserve and book. - Schools matinee
Wednesday 17 December 1pm
£10 per pupil (in Balcony) or £15 per pupil (in Upper Circle) + 1 free teacher ticket per 10 students (plus fee) - Students / Senior Citizens / Westminster Rescard / Registered Unemployed
£5 off each ticket - Access and Relaxed Performance
Audiences with access needs can join the London Coliseum Access scheme, to buy half-price tickets.
There will be a performance in a Relaxed Environment on Wednesday 8 January at 1pm. This performance supports and accepts noise and movement within the auditorium during this show, re-entry as and when needed, and access to a chill-out space outside of the auditorium. The house lights and sound levels may be adjusted throughout the production. Please note children under 5 are not allowed in the auditorium. - Audio described performance
There will be an audio-described performance on Saturday 20 December at 2.30pm with audio-description by VocalEyes. Visually impaired patrons can go on a Touch Tour before the performance. Your tour guide will take you backstage, or onto the stage itself, to feel costumes and pieces of the set and learn more about the production.
To book onto a free Touch Tour contact engagement@ballet.org.uk, once you have booked your ticket to the show.
Terms and Conditions
We regret that refunds cannot be given on tickets purchased, and exchange is subject to conditions and availability. English National Ballet reserves the right to make alterations to the programme, casting, dates, times, discounts and prices as necessary. Information subject to change.
The Story
From the wintry streets of Edwardian London to the magical Land of Sweets and Delights, we follow Clara on her fantastical journey of discovery.
In his secret attic workshop, the eccentric toymaker Drosselmeyer transforms a doll resembling a young prince into a Nutcracker. Downstairs, in his Emporium of Sweets and Delights, Clara Stahlbaum and her mother are shopping for party treats when the Nutcracker catches Clara’s eye. Outside, a bustling festive market sells delicacies from around the world. Clara and her mother stroll among the stalls as the sinister figure of Uromys Grimsewer watches on from the doorstep of his dingy cheese shop.
That evening, Drosselmeyer brings gifts to the Stahlbaum’s party. The party guests enjoy a delicious array of sweets and treats, and the Nutcracker is presented to Clara. Amidst the merriment, and whilst tasting a magical sugar plum, Clara has a vision of the Nutcracker bursting to life.
The evening draws to a close and the Stahlbaum children are sent to bed. Clara sneaks back downstairs to her Nutcracker before falling asleep by the Christmas tree. She wakes to find Drosselmeyer transforming the room into a larger-than-life scene. As time and reality evaporate, a battle ensues between the now life-sized Nutcracker and a Rat King resembling Uromys Grimsewer. Clara goes the to the rescue of the Nutcracker, fatally injuring the Rat King. To her delight the Nutcracker transforms into a young prince, inviting her to join him on an adventure.
The Nutcracker Prince takes Clara to a glistening winter realm ruled by the Ice Queen Isolde and then on to the summer Land of Sweets and Delights. Here the couple are welcomed by the Sugar Plum Fairy who asks them to recount their travels. She applauds Clara for saving the Nutcracker Prince and arranges a celebration in her honour. A showcase of sweet-themed dances follows: turron (Spanish nougat), sahlab (Egyptian hot orchid root milk with cinnamon); tanghulu (Chinese candied hawthorn berries); makivnyk (Ukrainian poppyseed rolls); marzipan-zwiebelflöten (German marzipan-mirlitons); liquorice allsorts; buttercream roses and sugar plums.
The Sugar Plum Fairy presents Clara with a beautiful plum-jewelled necklace. The ensemble of sweets bids farewell as the Land of Sweets and Delights dissolves away.
Clara wakes to find herself back in the salon. For a moment it seems as if her adventure was just a dream. However, when she notices she is still wearing the necklace given to her by the Sugar Plum Fairy, she knows it must have been more. With this realisation Clara feels anything is possible, the clock strikes midnight and Christmas Day begins.
Resource Hub
Ahead of your trip to Nutcracker, get your little ones excited for their first ballet experience with our Resource Hub! In the Play & Listen section, enjoy some printable games and listen to Nutcracker magical soundtrack together. In the Create section, you’ll find a colouring page and a fun tutu craft activity—perfect to download and enjoy before the show! Finally, head to the Learn section, where you can explore our symbol resources designed to make ballet more accessible.