Sangeun Lee
Clara
Nutcracker
The magical Christmas tradition for all the family
Over 100 dancers and musicians bring Nutcracker to life with exquisite dancing, beautiful sets and Tchaikovsky’s popular score played live.
On a sparkling Christmas Eve in a frost-dusted Edwardian London, Clara receives an enchanted Nutcracker as a present. Together, they discover a magical world where she battles with the Mouse King and meets a handsome stranger. As the air grows colder, Clara and her valiant Nutcracker take a hot air balloon ride across London to the glistening Land of Snow where a puppet theatre comes to life with dancers from around the world.
From the sound of the orchestra tuning up, to the final bows and cheers, a trip to English National Ballet’s Nutcracker is an unforgettable Christmas treat.
Wayne Eagling’s delightful production returns. Don’t miss your chance to experience its charms this festive season.
A perfect Christmas treatThe Sunday Express
Friends of English National Ballet receive priority booking and discounts on tickets (T&Cs apply). Become a Friend today.
Children under the age of five are not permitted in the auditorium, except on the designated Family Friendly matinee performance on Saturday 6 January.
Main image: Dancer: Shiori Kase. Photo: Jason Bell. Creative Direction: Charlotte Wilkinson Studio.
Dates & venues
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Synopsis
Act 1
Clara’s bedroom
It is Christmas Eve; Clara’s family is having a party and everyone is invited. All the family is excited, especially Clara and Freddie who are looking forward to seeing their friends and St Nicholas. Clara is especially excited about seeing her best friend Charlotte whilst their mother and big sister Louise look on fondly. Outside people skate on the frozen Thames.
The Party
Dr Drosselmeyer, a rather mysterious old family friend, arrives with his nephew, fresh from Military School. The guests arrive, presents are starting to gather under the Christmas tree and the children’s excitement builds. Dr Drosselmeyer introduces a puppet theatre, in which puppets perform to the delight of the guests. Louise and her three admirers are inspired to dance by the puppets’ performance.
Dr Drosselmeyer presents Clara with her Christmas present – a Nutcracker doll. Clara is thrilled and begins to dance with her new much-loved gift. Freddie grabs the doll so enthusiastically from Clara that he manages to break it. In despair, Clara turns to Dr Drosselmeyer for help. He, as if by magic, manages to put the doll back together again. Clara is delighted and forgives her brother. The guests depart, the children go up to bed and the house becomes eerily quiet.
The Battle
Clara has a nightmare in which her Nutcracker is attacked by the evil Mouse King. The clock strikes midnight. Giant rats and mice led by the Mouse King appear as the living room undergoes a transformation. The Nutcracker becomes a dashing soldier and a battle between the two sides ensues. The Mouse King and his army are victorious and the Nutcracker is injured. Everything melts away to leave Clara and the Nutcracker alone as snow starts to fall.
The Land of Snow
The living room is magically turned into a winter wonderland filled with sparkling snowflakes. Clara dances with the Nutcracker who seems to be Drosselmeyer’s nephew. The Mouse King pursues Clara through the snow. Clara, the nephew and Dr Drosselmeyer escape in a balloon, flying across the glistening, frosty landscape with the Mouse King clinging onto the side.
Act 2
The Puppet Theatre
The balloon lands beside the puppet theatre. Dancers from all over the world come to life and leap out of the theatre. The Mouse King is finally vanquished by the heroic nephew and a magnificent celebration begins.
The dancers perform divertissements. The puppet theatre disappears to reveal a beautiful garden, amongst which dancers perform the Waltz of the Flowers. Finally, Clara dances a glorious pas de deux as the Sugar Plum Fairy with the Nephew as the Prince. They are joined by all the characters from around the world.
Suddenly Clara wakes up with a jolt back in her bedroom. Freddie and Clara run outside into the snow to wave a final goodbye to Drosselmeyer and his nephew.
MEET THE PRINCIPAL CAST
Please note that casting is subject to change
CREATIVE TEAM
Wayne Eagling
Concept and Choreography
Toer van Schayk
Concept
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Music
Peter Farmer
Design
David Richardson
Lighting
Reviews
“A perfect Christmas treat”
The Sunday Express
“You can’t go wrong with this delicious Nutcracker”
The Daily Mail
Discounts
LONDON COLISEUM (14 Dec – 7 Jan)
Only one discount per ticket. Subject to availability. Available from the London Coliseum Box Office or website ONLY.
Friends of English National Ballet
Friends receive priority booking and 20% off Stalls, Dress and Upper Circle, excluding the very top price, 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
Multibuy
Book for English National Ballet’s Nutcracker and Giselle at the London Coliseum at the same time and save 15% (not valid on very top price, or in conjunction with any other offer or concessions).
Groups 10+
Save 20% per ticket. Valid Mon-Thu (all performances) and Fri matinees. Not valid on £95 tickets. Contact the Box Office to reserve and book.
Schools matinee
Tuesday 19 December 2.30pm and Friday 5 January 2.30pm
£10 per pupil (in Balcony) or £15 per pupil (in Upper Circle) + 1 free teacher ticket per 10 students (plus fee)
Family Friendly performance
Saturday 6 January 2.30pm
Children under 5 are allowed to attend this one performance. Children only pay the £2.25 booking fee (up to 2 under-16s per full-paying adult).
Students / Senior Citizens / Westminster Rescard / Registered Unemployed
£5 off each ticket
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.
MAYFLOWER THEATRE SOUTHAMPTON (29 Nov – 2 Dec)
Only one discount applies per ticket and all discounts are subject to availability. Available from the Mayflower Theatre website or Box Office ONLY.
ENB Friends
2-for-1 tickets on opening night only, valid for prices A– C
20% off tickets for all other performances, valid for prices A – C
Family offer
Up to two children under 16 can attend half price with each full paying adult, valid for prices A – C on Wednesday evening, Thursday evening and Saturday matinee
Under 26
£5 off each ticket, valid for prices A – C on Wednesday evening, Thursday evening and Saturday matinee
Groups 10+
£5 off each ticket, valid for prices A – C on Wednesday evening, Thursday evening and Saturday matinee
Groups 20+
£8 off each ticket, valid for prices A – C on Wednesday evening, Thursday evening and Saturday matinee
Schools/Young People’s Groups 10+
£12 per ticket in price zones C – D plus one free supervisor with every 10 tickets, valid for the Thursday matinee only
Access Membership
£5 off tickets in top two prices at all performances
Companion tickets half price at all performances
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.
Meet the principal cast
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