Witty, sparkly, kitsch and clever, Matthew Bourne’s latest revamp of Nutcracker is ballet – with bite!
It may begin in the grey of an orphanage that Clara longs to escape; but we’re soon transported to a stage that’s an absolute riot of colour. First, a pastel-blue and pillow-clouded snow globe where white-clad ice-skaters glide around a frozen lake; then to Sweetieland, where pink-marshmallow-dancers prance. It’s a real feast for the eyes.
Tchaikovsky’s beautiful score is always centre-stage of course, but Bourne’s injection of humour into the story is given plenty of room to shine. Truly OTT costumes, an inordinate amount of licking (whether sweets, cakes or fingers) and some physical comedy amidst the absolutely impeccable dance just keeps the audience smiling throughout.
In the opening scene, we see the downtrodden orphan inmates ruled with a rod of iron, but still with a spirit to enjoy what Christmas brings from some well-meaning benefactors. Orphanage owner Dr Dross’s awful, spoilt and spiteful children Fritz and Sugar rule the roost – and hog the chocolate treats.
Then, Clara’s beloved nutcracker doll comes to life at midnight. Transformed into a ‘buffed-up’ version of her orphanage sweetheart, Clara is clearly bowled over, as the comical fanning of her face implies.
So begins this ‘coming of age’ story and, from that moment on, we’re taken on a whirlwind tour of technicolour and dance. Princess Sugar superbly wheedles her way into the affections of Clara’s nutcracker with much preening and posturing. And Clara tries to win back her beau and get him to notice her again.
But first she needs to sneak past the doorman into the wide-open mouthed doors of Sweetieland.
Once in, she’s surrounded by all sorts of sugary shenanigans. From American football gob-stopper guys leaping athletically around stage to flamenco-stomping Liquorice Allsorts. There’s a three-tier pink bejewelled wedding cake which the cast sit on, ‘eat’ and lick and a lascivious Knickerbocker Glory – from whose clutches Clara escapes.
The second half fairly speeds by in heady concoction of multi-colour splendour. It’s a sweet-centred sensation of a show and you should sugar-rush to see it!
Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker! is on at The Wales Millennium Centre until 26 March.
Pics by Johan Persson