Review: The Nutcracker (Royal Albert Hall)

Review by Rosie Holmes

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Having not seen a ballet since childhood, I wasn't sure what to expect from Birmingham Royal Ballet's production of The Nutcracker, playing at the Royal Albert Hall this Christmas. My last experience with ballet was almost 25 years ago, when I attended with my Granny, so the story does hold a special place in my heart, even though my knowledge of ballet extends little beyond my memories of childhood lessons—specifically an exercise called ‘good toes, naughty toes.’

What I do know, is that the Birmingham Royal Ballet's iteration of The Nutcracker has become something of a festive tradition, having first been performed at this stunning venue in 2017, and so I was very excited for what I hoped would be a magical show. Set on Christmas Eve, the story follows Clara, a young girl whose godfather, toy maker Herr Drosselmeyer, presents her with a nutcracker which magically comes to life. As night falls, Clara is transported to a fantastical world filled with wonder, giant rats, and sugar plum fairies. As she awakes the next day though, she finds herself asking, Was it all just a dream?

Beatrice Parma, takes on the principal role of Clara and is simply enchanting. Her effortless movements make it seem as if she is floating across the stage, perfectly capturing the innocence and wonder of Clara's journey. Céline Gittens as the Sugar Plum Fairy is equally mesmerizing, especially during her iconic routine. In fact, the whole company’s performance, set to Tchaikovsky’s legendary score, left me in awe of what the human body can achieve, particularly as the most my body has done recently is nap and drink Baileys. The score truly is iconic. I had not realised just how much of the music is incredibly familiar, and to hear this music performed by a live orchestra is worth a visit alone.

The Royal Albert Hall itself is an awe-inspiring venue, and the production showcases its grandeur. Upon entering, audiences are greeted by a Victorian-style shopfront, which transitions into a beautiful family home. Clever use of screens transports the audience seamlessly into the magical toy world, with a particularly clever moment when Clara seems to shrink, enhanced by a close-up of the Christmas tree. Act one culminates in a breathtaking snowy scene that delighted the audience, even making me a little emotional.

The attention to detail in the costumes, particularly in the Sugar Plum Fairy scene, is extraordinary. The dancers appear as if they’ve stepped out of a dream, and the spectacle of dolls representing different cultures from across the world only adds to the enchantment. These costumes, created by the Royal Opera House’s production department, are some of the most stunning I’ve ever seen, elevating the production to a truly magical level.

Though the story is primarily told through dance, there is a little narration, with Herr Drosselmeyer’s words voiced by the booming Simon Callow. While this works well to introduce the story, I found the additional narrated sections somewhat jarring. The seamless storytelling through dance is powerful enough on its own, and these interruptions broke the otherwise dreamlike atmosphere of the performance. It’s a small critique, though, and one that doesn’t detract from the overall magic of the show.

For anyone who’s never seen a ballet before, The Nutcracker at the Royal Albert Hall is the perfect introduction. It’s equally captivating for seasoned ballet-goers and for complete novices, offering a festive experience that will keep the magic of Christmas alive just a little longer. If you’re looking to extend the holiday cheer, a trip to this magnificent venue during the “Chrimbo limbo” is sure to be a very sweet treat.

The Nutcracker by the Birmingham Royal Ballet plays at The Royal Albert Hall until  Tuesday 31st December 2024, tickets and more information can be found here- https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2024/the-nutcracker/

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