From the archive:
Nutcracker
Overview
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This festive season, step into a world where anything is possible. Join Clara on a fantastical adventure as English National Ballet’s Nutcracker bursts to life with over 100 dancers and musicians.
It’s Christmas Eve in Edwardian London. A visit to Drosselmeyer’s Sweets & Delights Emporium introduces Clara to an enchanted Nutcracker doll, setting in motion a magical journey. From a glittering Christmas party to a battle with the Rat King, Clara is swept away to a dazzling ice realm and the Land of Sweets & Delights, where the Sugar Plum Fairy hosts a grand celebration in her honour.
“Vibrant” (Financial Times) and “astoundingly pretty” (The London Standard), English National Ballet’s acclaimed production premiered 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’s first notes to the final bows, Nutcracker is your ticket to magical memories with friends and family!
Friends of English National Ballet receive a discount on tickets (T&Cs apply). Become a Friend today.
3 Reasons to see
Reviews
Want to learn more?
Nutcracker: Interview with Aaron S. Watkin and Arielle Smith
Nutcracker: Interview with Dick Bird
Nutcracker: Sugar Plum Fairy Pas de Deux (Extract)
Nutcracker in a Nutshell: everything you need to know ahead of this festive season
10 things to look for in English National Ballet’s Nutcracker
Nutcracker: Liquorice Allsorts (Extract)
Nutcracker: Prologue (extract)
Nutcracker: Butler and Maid (extract)
Nutcracker: Buttercream Roses (extract)
Explore the story
Discover the Plot
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.
Lead Supporter
Charles Holloway OBE
FAQs
Our magical production of Nutcracker is suitable for children aged 5+.
The ballet is 2 hours and 5 minutes long, with two acts lasting around 45 minutes, and an interval of 20 minutes.
The ballet does not include anything scary (except, maybe, the Mouse King!). There is the sound of a small explosion during Act 1, as well as flashing lights and large-scale motion projection.
Children under 5 are not usually allowed in the auditorium at the London Coliseum. However we do welcome children under 5 and babes-in-arms at our family-friendly matinee on Saturday 3 January 2.30pm. At this performance, tickets for children under 16 are just the cost of the booking fee too! For each full-paying adult ticket, you can purchase two children tickets (terms and conditions apply, subject to availability).
More details about Nutcracker discounts.
We offer half-price tickets to children under 16 for Nutcracker through the London Coliseum Box Office. For each full price adult ticket, you can book up to two half-price children tickets.
How to book:
- Visit the London Coliseum website.
- Select the performance of your choice, and your seats
- Add your seats to the basket, then click “Change ticket type” and select the discounted “Child” type.
Please note children under 5 are not usually allowed in the auditorium, except at the family-friendly matinee on Saturday 3 January at 2.30pm. At this performance, children’s tickets come at an extra friendly price! For each full price adult ticket, you can book up to two children tickets for just the cost of the booking fee.
Only one discount applies per ticket and all discounts are subject to availability.
Find out more about discounts and concessions for Nutcracker at the London Coliseum.
The full casting is published on the day of each performance to ensure maximum accuracy. Principal casting is published a few months in advance. Both the principal casting and downloadable daily cast sheets can be found on the page of each production. Our Friends and Patrons receive priority notice regarding principal casting – please consider supporting us if you are interested in early access to Company news.
Only one discount applies per ticket and all discounts are subject to availability. Available from the London Coliseum Box Office or website only.
Family friendly performance
Saturday 3 January 2026, 14.30.
Children under 5 are allowed in the auditorium. Children under 16 only pay the booking fee (max 2 per full paying adult).
There will be an audio-described performance on 20th Dec 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.
There will be a relaxed performance on 8th Jan at 1pm. At a relaxed performance, the environment supports and accepts noise and movement within the auditorium during the show, there is access to a chill-out space outside of the auditorium, and re-entry as and when needed is allowed. The house lights and sound levels may also be adjusted throughout the production.
