THERE is no better sign that Christmas is fast approaching than the arrival of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker at the city’s Hippodrome theatre.
And this year is extra special as 2015 marks the production’s silver anniversary.
In 1990, Sadlers Wells Royal Ballet travelled to the Midlands to become Birmingham Royal Ballet in what was described as ‘the arts coup of the decade’.
In celebration of this momentous occasion Sir Peter Wright assembled a stellar creative team, including designer John F. Macfarlane, to create his world-famous production of The Nutcracker as a gift to the city of Birmingham.
Twenty five years later, the classic production is still capturing the hearts and imaginations of generations of theatregoers young and old alike.
The production, which has become an annual tradition for many families and audiences, will have been performed in Birmingham a total of 429 times during its 25 sparkling years.
The spectacular sets and costumes of John F. Macfarlane see magical creatures come to life, flurries of snow sweep across the stage and an unforgettable transformation sequence which have helped make this production become widely
regarded as one of the best in the world.
Audiences will enjoy the tale of young Clara and her Christmas gift of a nutcracker doll.
When she sneaks downstairs to play with him, she is swept up in a fantastical journey to a magical land of toy soldiers, sugar plum fairies and of course her handsome prince.
Tickets, priced between £19 and £56, are available online at http://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/ with the production running from Friday (November 27) to December 13.
Performances will take place at 7.30pm Tuesday to Saturday and matinees will be held at 2pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 2.30pm on Saturdays and 1.30pm on Sundays.
