Following the sold-out performances of ‘Lazuli Sky’, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Birmingham Repertory Theatre have announced a specially adapted production of the classic Christmas fairytale ‘The Nutcracker’, which will run at The REP from 14 – 22 December 2020.
This new adaptation of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s much-loved production will bring the family favourite to The REP for the very first time. In a COVID-safe environment including socially distanced seating allocated to household or bubble groups only, they are able to tell The Nutcracker story in a way that is equally safe for the performers and production crew, on and off stage.
This Christmas, the full-length production will be shortened to an 80-minute magical experience that will retain all of the most enchanting moments and characters from the classic full-length show.
‘The Nutcracker’at The REP will whisk audiences from the heartwarming Christmas Eve party where Fritz and Clara meet the magician Drosselmeyer, to the rousing battle between King Rat and the toy soldiers, through a flurry of Snowflakes and onto a journey to the Kingdom of Sweets where Clara meets the Sugar Plum Fairy and her prince - all accompanied by the cherished Tchaikovsky score performed live by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia. This special series of shows will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s original Birmingham Hippodrome production being created as a gift for the City in 1990.
The Nutcracker will also be performed the Royal Albert Hall this Christmas (30 Dec 2020 - 2 Jan 2021).
Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet, Carlos Acosta said: “Following the fantastic experience of staging our first shows since lockdown at The REP, we are so happy to continue our collaboration with this very special version of The Nutcracker so that audiences in Birmingham and the West Midlands can have something to look forward to this Christmas.
“The Nutcracker is an essential part of our annual season and we can’t wait to welcome audiences back to The REP in December for this celebration.”
The REP’s Artistic Director, Sean Foley added; “It was wonderful to collaborate with Carlos Acosta and Birmingham Royal Ballet for the World Premiere performances of Will Tuckett’s Lazuli Sky - and a particular thrill to welcome audiences safely back to The REP for the first time in seven months. We are just as excited to reveal the next stage in our ongoing creative partnership as we bring a special version of The Nutcracker to The REP for the very first time. A visit to theatre is an on-going Christmas tradition, and we can’t wait to share this magical experience with our audiences this festive season.”
This enchanting version of a Christmas favourite will be a fitting tribute to the company’s 30-year history, and one that looks to the future with hope and celebration. It is the quintessential Christmas treat for all the family.
