The Russian National Ballet have brought their interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” to Britain and shown what ballet is all about. This interpretation with choreography by Vasily Vainonen is a rare chance to see a ballet of quality in the British Isles. It left the audience captivated and wanting more.

From the moment the curtain went up the audience was experiencing the fantasy that is “The Nutcracker”. Toys come to life as a young girl sleeps by the side of a Christmas tree and magic takes over from reality as toys dance. Marina Borodina’s lighting is just right and the pristine costume design by Simon Virsaladze is superb, with costumers Elena Nikolayeva and Anna Lagunova taking much of the credit. Add to this artistic direction of Sergei Radchenko and the choreographer Elena Radchenko and you have something extraordinary. You cannot forget the superb playing of the orchestra under the baton of Vladimir Moiseyev.

All this would not happen if it were not for the dancers. This was a superb team effort for everyone was outstanding. The principles, Marie danced by Victoria Parkhomenko and the Nutcracker by Alexandra Piniugin, were just right and earned a huge ovation at the curtain call. Sophistication and controlled elegance shone out in the Indian dance by Tatiana Smirnova and Vasily Ameryanov. Alexander Rupyshev excelled in the Chinese dance with Marina Filippova. Again the Corps de ballet shone as they danced their way through the evening making all in the audience wish that the evening could last longer.

Is lovely the right word to describe the evening, yes maybe it is. A lovely magical evening. If not fantastic will do nicely. © BA

“The Nutcracker” is in Hull from the 7th of February until the 9th of February, 2002.