Newcastle-under-Lyme’s New Vic Theatre will put its own spin on the classic story of The Nutcracker in its 2023 family festive production.
New Vic artistic director Theresa Heskins said, “it’s been a joy adapting this much-loved ballet into a play which I hope will capture the imaginations of every generation this Christmas.
“I discovered so many new things about this story which I think will surprise and enthral audiences. We’ll also welcome many new faces to the New Vic as part of this cast which is exciting.
“The music from James Atherton is guaranteed to be enchanting, seamlessly woven together with Tchaikovsky’s music that we all know and love. I can’t wait to get cracking on this ambitious production which could be possibly the most Christmassy show we’ve ever done.”
The cast of The Nutcracker: A Christmas Fairytale comprises Franky Attard (Marie), Edwin Cheng (Nutcracker Prince), Clara Darcy (Lemon Meringue Mayor, Bonbonviller and Snowflake), Matthew Ganley (King Konstantin), Austin Garrett (escaping citizen, Teddy and Bonbonviller), Amy Harrison (Rag Doll, Snowflake and Bonbonviller), Kaitlin Howard (Mausrink the Mouse Queen), Abigail Middleton (Fritz), Maeve Nolan (Sugar Plum Fairy), Adam Scotland (Glace Cherry Guard), Kate Spencer (Nastasia and Queen Clementina) and Peter Watts (Drosselmeyer).
They will be joined by musicians Leila Marshall on flute and piccolo, Benjamin Pinto on clarinet and musical director Farhaan Shah on violin.
Audiences will join Marie and the Nutcracker Prince on an “enchanting” journey through a land of sugar-spun snowflakes to find themselves in the Kingdom of Sweets, a mystical realm where toys come to life.
The Nutcracker: A Christmas Fairytale takes to the New Vic stage from Friday 17 November until Saturday 27 January 2024.