Is Tchaikovsky’s score the only thing keeping The Nutcracker alive?
“Tchaikovsky also wrote scores for The Nutcracker (1892) and Swan Lake (1875). Unfortunately both of these ballets suffered from indifferent productions and they would have disappeared completely but for the music.” (Harrold, Robert, 1980, Ballet. Dorset: Blandford press.)
Tchaikovsky composed the score for Nutcracker from 1891–92 and the production was first danced on 18th December 1892 at The Imperial Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg Russia staged by Marius Petipa. It has subsequently been adapted by many choreographers and companies throughout the world, although it remains one of the most popular ballets often securing a longer run than any other production in a company’s calendar; Birmingham Royal Ballet have twenty-two performances of The Nutcracker at The Birmingham Hippodrome and only eleven of Sleeping Beauty there next longest run. It has also proved to be one of the most popular with audiences:
“The sales of tickets for The Nutcracker represent manna for dance companies, accounting for approximately half of their annual box office earnings.” (Renaud, L, 1991. Nutcracker Suite: a timeless musical fairytale http://www.scena.org/lsm/sm5-4/NutcrackerSuite-en.htm [16/11/2009])
Whilst the costumes, lighting, staging, characters and choreography have all been changed from one production to another the music has remained the same.
“I would also like to think that the main reason that Nutcracker has retained its perennial appeal is because of Tchaikovsky’s incredible score. Act One contains some of the most engaging and, at times, profound story telling music and Act Two has one glorious melody after another. After 110 years it retains its mystery, magic and the power to transport us to another world.” (Bourne, M http://www.matthewbournesnutcracker.com/ [16/11/2009])
Televisions advertising has immortalised Tchaikovsky’s score for ‘The Nutcracker’ and many of the general public who have never set foot in a theatre will be familiar with the sounds of this ballet heralding the start of the Christmas season. Dance of the Sugar Plum fairy has been used in advertising campaigns for: Always (2009) Warburton’s (2008) Pringles (2007) Andrex (2007). Whilst Danse de Merlitons will be fondly remembered as the overture for the Cadburys Fruit and Nut advert which first aired in 1998.
Whilst it can be said that the music does provide the core of the ballet, there must be other things drawing the audience in, otherwise The Nutcracker would be performed solely by orchestras in Symphony Halls as oppose to ballet companies in packed theatres throughout the world. I have consulted others reviews in order to support my theory that it is a combination of factors that maintain the ballet’s popularity.
“Clara’s flight on the back of a giant snow goose (always greeted with gasps of wonderment)”
(Dougill, D, 2007. ‘The Nutcracker’ The Sunday Times, December 9, 2007)
“Peter Wright’s interpretation of this favorite Russian classic is a Christmas stocking stuffed with a box of magic tricks, gorgeous dressing-up clothes, toy soldiers, furry animals, dolls in national costumes and – right at the very end of the toe - a scrumptious sugar plum. But one doesn’t have to be a child, or have a couple to take along, to be captivated by the ballet’s festive spirit.”
(Turner, S, 2008. ‘Birmingham Royal Ballet - The Nutcracker, at Birmingham Hippodrome’ Birmingham Post – Life and Leisure, Nov 30 2008)
To conclude, whilst some may believe that the music is the only thing keeping the Nutcracker alive, I believe that it is the seamless blend of all the elements, along with a large dose of Christmas spirit that have maintained this ballets popularity all the way into the millennium.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Writing Task 2
The curtain opens on a household preparing for a Christmas party. As an audience member you feel as if you are peering through one of the snow-lined windows into this magnificent home. The set is stunning with deep red cloths draped from the ceiling and a sparkling Christmas tree set in the corner of the stage with a mass of presents underneath. Guests begin to arrive and the scene starts to stir and becomes alive with colour and movement. Clara was youthful, light and technically incredible. She possessed a playful quality, which made you believe that she was a young girl.
Drosselmeyer, dominating and powerful, provided much of the magic of the production as he made the lavish set then grow seamlessly; giving the illusion of Clara shrinking to the size of a small toy as she drifted about in a dreamy state. This transaction was marvelously done and the new set was even more magical! As battle commenced the soldiers were in unison and well regimented whilst the rats twitched and scurried sending a shiver down my spine.
Following the battle, the scene changes to a winter wonderland, with shimmering silver being the predominant colour. The snowflakes wore iridescent costumes and drifted in an ethereal state about the stage. Lei Zhao captured the quality of a snowflake as she drifted across the stage, holding impossible balances for what seemed like minutes at a time. Her secure technique enables her to really use her port de bra and sparkle.
The second act opened with Clara flying through the air on the back of a shimmering white goose, a lovely touch which recaptures any magic that may have been lost in the interval! Clara watches a host of different cultures dance before her with their ‘National’ dance. The Spanish dance was first and was full of feisty Mediterranean spirit; you could almost feel the heat radiating from the stage. This was followed by the Arabian dance, led by Victoria Marr who danced with the fluidity that this dance requires whilst the men used their strength to contrast her movements. The Russian dance followed and in contrast to the piece before, was very scrappy. Whilst they had a good energy throughout, the piece ended on a very bad technical note with Clara almost falling off the back of one of the dancers. The Chinese dance was quaint but uneventful and unmemorable. The Dance of the Mirlitons was last but by no means least. The dancers had the clean technique that this piece demands. Natasha Oughtred in particular danced beautifully with absolutely exquisite footwork. The Rose Fairy, the lead in The Waltz of the Flowers danced with disdain and looked both arrogant and bored, not something that I believe a fairy is supposed to be.
The production ended spectacularly with the Grand pas de deux danced by two of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s principals. The Prince shone within the role by demonstrating his clarity of line and enthusiasm. Sugar Plum Fairy was good however the role requires classical line that this dancer doesn’t possess. She has the type of legs that look breath taking at 180˚ but very disappointing at 90˚, she is therefore not suited to this role. She was however very charming and did a very good job of milking her curtain call.
Drosselmeyer, dominating and powerful, provided much of the magic of the production as he made the lavish set then grow seamlessly; giving the illusion of Clara shrinking to the size of a small toy as she drifted about in a dreamy state. This transaction was marvelously done and the new set was even more magical! As battle commenced the soldiers were in unison and well regimented whilst the rats twitched and scurried sending a shiver down my spine.
Following the battle, the scene changes to a winter wonderland, with shimmering silver being the predominant colour. The snowflakes wore iridescent costumes and drifted in an ethereal state about the stage. Lei Zhao captured the quality of a snowflake as she drifted across the stage, holding impossible balances for what seemed like minutes at a time. Her secure technique enables her to really use her port de bra and sparkle.
The second act opened with Clara flying through the air on the back of a shimmering white goose, a lovely touch which recaptures any magic that may have been lost in the interval! Clara watches a host of different cultures dance before her with their ‘National’ dance. The Spanish dance was first and was full of feisty Mediterranean spirit; you could almost feel the heat radiating from the stage. This was followed by the Arabian dance, led by Victoria Marr who danced with the fluidity that this dance requires whilst the men used their strength to contrast her movements. The Russian dance followed and in contrast to the piece before, was very scrappy. Whilst they had a good energy throughout, the piece ended on a very bad technical note with Clara almost falling off the back of one of the dancers. The Chinese dance was quaint but uneventful and unmemorable. The Dance of the Mirlitons was last but by no means least. The dancers had the clean technique that this piece demands. Natasha Oughtred in particular danced beautifully with absolutely exquisite footwork. The Rose Fairy, the lead in The Waltz of the Flowers danced with disdain and looked both arrogant and bored, not something that I believe a fairy is supposed to be.
The production ended spectacularly with the Grand pas de deux danced by two of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s principals. The Prince shone within the role by demonstrating his clarity of line and enthusiasm. Sugar Plum Fairy was good however the role requires classical line that this dancer doesn’t possess. She has the type of legs that look breath taking at 180˚ but very disappointing at 90˚, she is therefore not suited to this role. She was however very charming and did a very good job of milking her curtain call.
Writing Task 1
On 27th of November at 7.30pm the Birmingham Hippodrome will be transformed into a magical Winter Wonderland as Birmingham Royal Ballet brings The Nutcracker to the West Midlands. This is the start of twenty two performances of this masterpiece, created by Sir Peter Wright choreographed to music by the world famous composer Tchaikovsky.
This Christmas cracker makes a return to the stage this festive season, proving once again its popularity with audiences both young and old. The production has been running since 1990 and has been a box office hit, with sell out performances year after year. Be sure to book your tickets early to avoid disappointment.
As you make your way in from the cold, wet streets of Birmingham you are given the opportunity, whilst sitting in your seats, to peer through the snow lined windows of this magnificent home preparing for a Christmas party. Warm both your hands and your heart with this magical story of a young girl, Clara who is taken on a wondrous journey and you are invited to go with her. Watch as she is transported from the comfort of the fireside in her own home to the miraculous land where sweets come to life, snowflakes fall from the sky and the nutcracker transforms from a toy to a prince.
Clara watches as her favourite sweets come to life in dances from different lands. Chocolate gains Mediterranean flair within the feisty Spanish Dance, Arabian coffee swirls within a sea of feathers, tea transforms into a duo of lively Chinese dancers and sweet candy canes complete this delicious line up.
It’s many little girls’ dreams to become a ballerina and this is their opportunity to watch this story unfold. Clara is one of these little girls and becomes the Sugar Plum Fairy, one of ballets most renowned ballerinas. The pretty pink tutu and sparkling tiara are sure to appeal to every little girl in the audience, whilst the boys will be taken with the thrilling battle scenes between the evil rats and the chivalrous soldiers. I am sure when they leave the theatre they will truly believe that they have been an integral part of this magical journey.
Children and adults also have the chance to take away a Nutcracker Doll of there own, as there is a souvenir shop within the foyer of the Hippodrome selling a wide range of merchandise that is sure to give you a piece of the ballet to keep forever.
Birmingham Royal Ballet is a world renowned ballet company with a spectacular array of young vivacious talented dancers. You will have the opportunity to see many of these dancers perform in roles that albeit created for others twenty years ago are eminently suitable for the company today.
Nutcracker is one of the most popular and spectacular ballets ever created so make sure that you are there to be taken on a magical journey right into the heart of Christmas where it is guaranteed to snow!
This Christmas cracker makes a return to the stage this festive season, proving once again its popularity with audiences both young and old. The production has been running since 1990 and has been a box office hit, with sell out performances year after year. Be sure to book your tickets early to avoid disappointment.
As you make your way in from the cold, wet streets of Birmingham you are given the opportunity, whilst sitting in your seats, to peer through the snow lined windows of this magnificent home preparing for a Christmas party. Warm both your hands and your heart with this magical story of a young girl, Clara who is taken on a wondrous journey and you are invited to go with her. Watch as she is transported from the comfort of the fireside in her own home to the miraculous land where sweets come to life, snowflakes fall from the sky and the nutcracker transforms from a toy to a prince.
Clara watches as her favourite sweets come to life in dances from different lands. Chocolate gains Mediterranean flair within the feisty Spanish Dance, Arabian coffee swirls within a sea of feathers, tea transforms into a duo of lively Chinese dancers and sweet candy canes complete this delicious line up.
It’s many little girls’ dreams to become a ballerina and this is their opportunity to watch this story unfold. Clara is one of these little girls and becomes the Sugar Plum Fairy, one of ballets most renowned ballerinas. The pretty pink tutu and sparkling tiara are sure to appeal to every little girl in the audience, whilst the boys will be taken with the thrilling battle scenes between the evil rats and the chivalrous soldiers. I am sure when they leave the theatre they will truly believe that they have been an integral part of this magical journey.
Children and adults also have the chance to take away a Nutcracker Doll of there own, as there is a souvenir shop within the foyer of the Hippodrome selling a wide range of merchandise that is sure to give you a piece of the ballet to keep forever.
Birmingham Royal Ballet is a world renowned ballet company with a spectacular array of young vivacious talented dancers. You will have the opportunity to see many of these dancers perform in roles that albeit created for others twenty years ago are eminently suitable for the company today.
Nutcracker is one of the most popular and spectacular ballets ever created so make sure that you are there to be taken on a magical journey right into the heart of Christmas where it is guaranteed to snow!
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