As part of its 75th season, English National Ballet will present the world première of a new production of Nutcracker, choreographed by the company’s Artistic Director, Aaron S Watkin, and Olivier Award-winning choreographer Arielle Smith.
It will feature costumes and sets by Dick Bird, lighting by Paul Pyant, and Tchaikovsky’s score played live by English National Ballet Philharmonic under the baton of the company’s new Music Director, Maria Seletskaja.
Watkin said, “Nutcracker holds a special place in English National Ballet’s history and in the hearts of our audiences. The company has performed a version of it every year since it was founded in 1950 and it is an honour to be working with Arielle and Dick to bring new magic and wonder to this much-loved ballet.”
Starting on the streets of Edwardian London and Drosselymeyer’s Sweets & Delights Emporium, audiences follow Clara to a dazzling ice realm before a grand celebration arranged by the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Land of Sweets and Delights.
Nutcracker will open at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre (28–30 November 2024) before performances at the London Coliseum (12 December 2024 to 12 January 2025).
For the first time, English National Ballet will present a relaxed performance of Nutcracker, at the London Coliseum on 9 January 2025.