WA Ballet to premiere ‘The Nutcracker’

Preparations are in their final stages as West Australian Ballet gears up to present the world premiere of its “biggest, most ambitious and most magical production ever.”
 
The Nutcracker – one of the world’s most loved ballets – is joining WAB’s repertoire in its truest traditional form beginning November 18 as His Majesty’s Theatre is transported to a Regent White Christmas.

WAB Artistic Director Aurélien Scannella has said since his arrival in Perth four years ago that he has dreamt of bringing a traditional Nutcracker to Perth audiences.

“I want the people to come in, sit down and feel like they’re somewhere in Europe where it’s very cold outside, it’s snowing, the family’s arriving, Christmas is starting,” he shared.

Collectively choreographed by Aurélien Scannella, Ballet Mistress Sandy Delasalle and former Principal Dancer Jayne Smeulders, the brand-new production features sets and costumes designed by British duo Charles Cusick Smith and Phil R Daniels, who together have created ballet and theatre productions for leading companies around the world (including English National Ballet and Hong Kong Ballet) and whose work is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

“They really, really wanted a traditional Nutcracker that every person in the family in Perth would want to come and see every Christmas,” Cusick Smith said.

Set to the iconic Tchaikovsky score played by West Australian Philharmonic Orchestra, audiences can delight in familiar melodies including Waltz of the Flowers, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Russian Trepak while WAB’s full company dances on stage each performance.

Running November 18 – December 11 at 
His Majesty’s Theatre, The Nutcracker will be presented for a total of 20 performances. Tickets can be booked at waballet.com.au. Ballet fans should also plan on attending a free Pre-Performance Talk and on bringing their little ones to Story-time Sundays.

Image courtesy of WAB.