Nutcracker review

Based on a children's tale by Ernest Theodor Amadeus Hoffman, Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker was first presented at the Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersberg in 1982, and was specially adapted for Moscow Ballet '“ La Classique in 1990 and again in 2001.

World renown as one of the greatest fantasy ballets of all time, it captures a child's (Clara) imagination and tells a magical story as her dream becomes reality.

After a two minute overture, the audience were quickly swept away on a tide of Tchaikovsky's classic music and the magic of the ballet as Clara took them on her make-believe journey into the realms of fantasy, where toys come to life, and a handsome prince leads her to the Kingdom of Fairy Tales.

The audience were riveted and silence ensued throughout the auditorium as the Moscow Ballet La Classique dancers swept onto the stage, taking them through the varied programme.

Their expertise, talent, and high energy, as they danced an outstanding array of choreography was breathtaking, with split second timing performed to perfection from the soloists, principals and entire corps de ballet.

Stunning costumes, lighting and expert scenery all added to the magical atmosphere.

A couple of technical lighting hitches along the way, in which the house lights inappropriately came up, luckily did not deter the performers.

An evenings entertainment much appreciated by the audience judging by the rapturous applause, with a number giving a standing ovation.

The only down side to the performance was the sound quality, which at times did not seem loud enough and appeared to only come from speakers on one side of the stage.