Christmas will be almost normal with Queensland Ballet’s Nutcracker to the rescue
After a year from hell for the arts community, the unexpected return of a family favourite will make it seem like a normal Christmas again.
Confidential
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It’s the Christmas present nobody was expecting – the return of Queensland Ballet’s beloved annual production of The Nutcracker to QPAC.
When the pandemic hit families were devastated to hear that our state company had pulled the pin on what has become an annual tradition these past eight years under artistic director Li Cunxin.
But with the recent announcement that theatres could go back to 100 per cent capacity Mr Li got together with QPAC chief executive John Kotzas to schedule what amounts to an emergency season of a pared back production dubbed The Best of The Nutcracker. It’s on in the Concert Hall for four shows over two days on Friday December 4 and Saturday December 5.
And as a present to the people of Queensland Mr Li said the company would give away 1000 free tickets to frontline workers including those in health, teachers, hospitality workers, travel industry and arts workers affected by the pandemic shutdowns.
“It’s really about giving something back to the people who have made an important contribution to our state and people who have experienced hardship,” Mr Li said. “We will spread those tickets as wide as possible and that makes this event extra special.”
The company had already scheduled a season of their program of shorter ballets, 60 Dancers : 60 Stories next month but scrambled to mount a one hour version of The Nutcracker before then. The Nutcracker features original choreography by the legendary Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with a score by the famed Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky with a libretto adapted from Hoffman’s story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. It’s a fun family ballet and QPAC chief executive John Kotzas said he was thrilled to be able to support Queensland Ballet to make it happen at short notice.
“In fact, we’ve been able to bring together a number of productions in December that will herald the start of summer and the holiday season,” Mr Kotzas said.
“In times of uncertainty, nostalgia and things that are familiar to us can be comforting and restorative. With The Nutcracker and favourites like A Christmas Carol and our beloved Spirit of Christmas, I hope this is what we can bring to communities over the next six weeks.”
Mr Li said normally companies all over the world would be staging The Nutcracker in the coming month.
“But in Europe and America they can’t do it at all,” he said. “We are one of the only companies in the world that can right now. Everyone is so excited although they are also pulling their hair out too because they’ve had such short notice but my dancers are so agile and so motivated and they can adapt to anything.
“As soon as we were allowed to go back to 100 per cent I said – we have to do something. We have been inundated with inquiries if we could still do The Nutcracker, so I thought, why not? Then I thought ...let’s just do it. We will present a shorter version with all the treasured scenes including the Arabian Dance, the Waltz of the Flowers and, among others, the much-loved Sugar Plum Pas de Deux and there will be extravagant sets, costumes and lavish music.”
Although instead of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra playing live – they were unavailable at short notice – the music will be recorded. And the good news just keeps on coming because next week Queensland Ballet is also announcing its 2021 season, another reason to be cheerful.
Tickets for The Best of The Nutcracker go on sale from 9am today at qpac.com.au
Queensland Ballet is asking people to nominate someone they believe deserves some Christmas joy with tickets to The Best of The Nutcracker with nominations now open; go to queenslandballet.com.au/nutcracker—gift
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