REVIEW: The Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker on the New Victoria Theatre, Woking

This iconic Christmas delight for all of the household has arrived brilliant and early at Woking’s New Victoria Theatre and my goodness, what a scrumptious deal with it’s. The auditorium sparkles earlier than curtain up; titillating us with the delights to return as we meet younger Clara and her household celebrating Christmas. The arrival of a mysterious magician entrances the household and their social gathering, superb all of them with unbelievable feats. He affords Clara the reward of a Nutcracker who on the stroke of midnight, brings to life as a good-looking prince who whisks her away to a land of sugar plum fairies, snowflakes and flowers who dance in her honour.

The Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker evokes such childlike pleasure you can not assist however give up to its appeal. All was merry and brilliant from the second it started to the ultimate curtain name. While it is a Christmas-themed ballet, it didn’t really feel misplaced in a November calendar and inspired me to give up to my wintery temper. As is the expectation for any ballet in my eyes, the units and costumes had been suitably spectacular and glitzy. The Snowflakes particularly had been simply stunning, additional enhanced by an expertly lit stage. The place of the rigging throughout the entrance corners of the stage confirmed off simply how a lot color was shining in Clara’s wonderland, and it was straightforward to enchant within the viewers too.

Tchaikovsky’s timeless music is magnificently performed all through by the orchestra who’re modestly tucked away within the pit beneath the stage. The steadiness was heavenly – showcasing the flutes, clarinet and oboe particularly to eargasmic ranges. It was fantastic to listen to so many approving noises from the viewers when the actions of the ballet started which individuals had been shocked they knew. Iconic numbers like The Sugarplum Fairy, Waltz of The Flowers, Candy Cane and The Chinese Dance had been met with enormous applause.

There had been moments of superb comedy, completely interwoven with technical excellence executed by all within the firm. The ‘flossing’ King Mouse was exceptionally effectively obtained and never one thing I ever anticipated to see in a basic ballet however it was very welcomed nonetheless! The French Dolls too had been vastly in style and the speaking level of the interval. The kids from The Susan Robinson School of Ballet had been simply cute and had the viewers cooing of their seats, notably throughout their flip as child mice.

In a corps de ballet with this a lot ability and experience, it’s noteworthy that each dancer was sensational, nevertheless, Rachael Gillespie leads this firm as Clara and blesses us together with her endearing efficiency. She is magnetic and welcoming; gracing the stage with an enormous presence, regardless of being so petite in stature.

I regressed to a childlike state of wonderment and pleasure at The Nutcracker. It is just a must-see for all of the household. It is technically, bodily and emotionally good in each manner.

Review by Harriet Langdown 

Rating: ★★★★★