Review: Moscow City Ballet’s The Nutcracker at The Regent Theatre*

Last night, we went to see the magical story of The Nutcracker by the Moscow City Ballet at The Regent Theatre. Traditionally a Christmas tale, however, the Moscow City Ballet are currently just starting their UK 2020 Tour, which is due to last the next couple of months. On their roster, is Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and of course the Nutcracker, all being played in various cities around the UK and also three special performances (of each story) in Dublin.

Moscow City Ballet was started back in 1988 by the acclaimed choreographer Victor Smirnov-Golovanov, who sadly passed away in 2013. The company was taken over by his wife Ludmila Nerubashenko as Artistic Director. She had been Principle Ballet Mistress since 1993, therefore, was well equipped to take over his role. Smirnov-Golovanov’s concept was to allow artist licence to his dancers, with certain aspects of the choreography, allowing them the freedom to add in parts to the dance as long as they didn’t sway too far from the original choreographic concept.

Tonight’s performance of The Nutcracker took place at The Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent, which is a beautiful theatre, that was originally constructed in 1929 as a Cinema. It wasn’t solely used as a cinema, as its design had made it equipped with a stage so that it could host stage shows during film intervals/before and after the performances. In 1999 after a multi-million-pound renovation it was reopened, by HRH Queen Elizabeth II, and since then has been host to a huge variety of shows.

What we thought of the Nutcracker

The Nutcracker, originally a story by Prussian writer E.T.A. Hoffman, written in 1814, and then adapted by the famous French writer Alexandre Dumas in 1844. This adaptation, then went onto be the inspiration for  Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Ballet of the same name which was completed in 1892.

Tchaikovsky iconic score of this Ballet is recognisable by all ages through all generations. I am sure you will remember as a child seeing or opening the classic children’s jewellery boxes that contained a dancing ballerina playing the music from this beautiful ballet? You will have heard the music on TV adverts, films and even weaved within nursery rhymes.

The Ballet begins with the Christmas Eve Party, where Clara first sees the Nutcracker. During this time the dancers are introducing you to the characters of the Nutcracker, the doll and the Mouse King. After the loosely choreographed first scene the dancers awoke to their centre stage performance that became a total delight. In scene two you are taken to the enchanted Forest where the blue tutus of the Ballerinas bounce, as their synchronised toes float across the stage.

The orchestra, although quiet at times, played beautifully and perfectly matched the pitter-patter of the ballet dancers movements across the boards of the theatre. As previously mentioned its such an iconic score and so delightful to hear live, however, it was a shame that it did at times lack a bit of oompf you would expect. I am not sure if this was down to the size of the orchestra or the dynamics of The Regent Theatre. That being said – my feet were still tapping at the most recognisable parts.

The second act makes for a truly magical performance, where the dancing flowers and fairies decorate the stage. We see how skilled some of the ballet dancers are as they jump and drift across the floor. It is with this combination of elegant movement and classical music, that makes the Nutcracker the perfect Ballet for those young and old who want to hold onto the magic of Christmas whatever the season.

Story Synopsis

Each ending in many different productions of this classic tale over the years have been different, and this also includes aspects of the narrative in the middle too. But Each one means that if you have seen this Ballet several times over the years, it means that you more than likely won’t have seen the same one!

CAST

Clara – Ksenya Basnet

Nutcracker Prince – Dzimitry Lazovik

Drosselmeier – Daniil Orlov

Flower Fairy – Liliya Orekhova

Mouse King – Mikhailo Tkachuk

Doll – Rachel Hernon

Nutcracker Doll – Sanzhar Omurbaev

Mouse King Doll – Daniyar Dosimbek

Fritz – Anastasiya Krutina

Spanish dance – Polina Tokareva

Russian – Rachel Hernon

Eastern dance – Taisiya Sukhorukova

Chinese dance – Mao Sakai 

Ballet Mistress – Lyudmila Poladkhanova 

With Artists of the Corps de Ballet 

With the Moscow City Ballet Orchestra conducted by Igor Shavruk 

Artistic Director Lyudmila Nerubashchenko 

 

• Parking is ample either around the public car parks close to The Regent, but do check the rules. Some parking lots might need you to pay even at night. We parked up at intu Potteries and that cost us £1 (its fixed rate after 6pm).
• The Regent also provides binoculars (usually located at the back of each seat) for £1.
• Programme Booklets are usually on sale for £5, full details of the show and cast members are featured on it.
• The Regent is a beautiful theatre with ornate decor and traditional seating. It has plenty of performances out throughout the year and lots of variety.

About Regent Theatre

The Regent Theatre is a theatre in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Constructed in 1929 as a cinema, it is one of several theatres in the city centre and one of two owned by the Ambassador Theatre Group. The building was converted for full-time use as a theatre in 1999, and since then has hosted a number of shows and musicals. The theatre is also the northern base for the Glyndebourne Touring Opera.

About Moscow City Ballet

The Moscow City Ballet was founded in 1988 by the distinguished Russian choreographer Victor Smirnov-Golovanov, with the aim to promote the original ideas of the great 19th and 20th century Russian choreographers.  The birth of the company was a direct outcome of the sweeping changes in the Soviet Union in the late 1980s, where “Glastnost” and “Perestroyka” made the private enterprise legal again and Moscow City Ballet was the first privately owned ballet company in the USSR. It’s original name “The New Ballet of Moscow” was deemed too descriptive and the new name, “The Moscow City Ballet” was adopted in 1990.  The company remains true to its original ideals, showcasing some of the greatest works of the Russian and Soviet ballet heritage.  Its new aim is to preserve the legacy of late Victor Smirnov-Golovanov’s original choreography, with the ballets such as The Nutcracker, Cinderella and Romeo and Juliet having been exclusively choreographed by Victor for the Moscow City Ballet.

The company’s first appearance was in 1989 in Seoul, Korea. Its success outside of Russia makes it one of Russia’s most extensively touring ballet companies. Since 1988, Moscow City Ballet has appeared in Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Germany, Hong-Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Netherlands, People’s Republic of China, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic Korea, R.O.C. Taiwan, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America and, naturally, in Russia itself.  The company’s greatest success has been in the United Kingdom where it has given more than 1000 performances since 1991, accompanied by the Moscow City Ballet Orchestra.

Moscow City Ballet is one of Russia’s most successful and popular touring ballet companies, highly admired for its distinctive style, dramatic story‐telling, exciting choreography and exceptionally gifted dancers. Under the artistic direction of Victor Smirnov-Golovanov’s widow, Ludmila Neroubashchenko, the company continues to be committed to promoting ballet in the Russian classical tradition to audiences all over the world.

About PMB Presentations

PMB Presentations has a reputation for excellence. The organisation represents ‘high end’ visiting companies of genuine repute and pedigree. PMB personnel have been associated with all genres of live shows especially Dance, Opera and Ballet since 1996, and participated in over 10,000 high-quality performances in the major UK regional theatres; international concert halls; Theatre Champs Elysees Paris, and in London at the Royal Festival Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, Cadogan Hall and London Coliseum. In the UK dance market where theatres and councils attempt to build audiences for dance, particularly contemporary dance, classical ballet touring under the PMB banner remains the most popular audience choice, maintaining consistently large attendance.

Review by: Lex Ward

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Photo Credit:  Regent Theatre/Moscow City Ballet/PMB Presentations