Bourne again nutcracker

By Robert Tanitch - 19/12/2011

NUTCRACKER!

Sadler’s Wells Theatre

 

The critics back in 1892 disapproved of Tchaikovsky wasting his talent on such trivia; but The Nutcracker has long been a Christmas favourite and this Christmas there are four productions in London alone. Matthew Bourne, famous for his all-maleSwan Lake, is not a great choreographer but he is a great showman and his striking and original version is fit to rank with the best family musicals.

 

The first act is set in a cheerless dormitory of a Victorian orphanage run by Dr Dross and his wife, who, no doubt, were trained by Mr Squeers of Dotheboys Hall. The second act in Sweetieland does not have the usual national dances; instead there are dances by confectionery in the brashest and gaudiest of colours. Liquorice Allsorts are camp Italians. The Marshmallows are silly chorus girls. The Gobstoppers are yobbos in crash helmets.

 

The dancers give themselves a good licking. There is a huge wedding cake and it is the sort of cake you would find in a 1930’s Hollywood musical choreographed by Busby Berkeley. And I bet you can’t guess where the Nutcracker ends up! Matthew Bourne’s ballet, bright, charming and fun, is going to give a lot of pleasure to a lot of people.