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So originally, way back end of 2019 I was planning to see the ENB Nutcracker for the first time ever (I know! One of those things) for Xmas 2020.
For obvious reasons that did not happen so, inspired by the plethora of performances online, decided to challenge myself to watch + https://twitter.com/FINOkoye/status/1341066338991828994
For obvious reasons that did not happen so, inspired by the plethora of performances online, decided to challenge myself to watch + https://twitter.com/FINOkoye/status/1341066338991828994
+ as many versions I could find. Funds and common sense prevailed so the initially conceived 24 hr marathon became one a night*.
Now I'm just past the halfway point, I think it only appropriate to share my unsolicited findings with some ratings on the side +
Now I'm just past the halfway point, I think it only appropriate to share my unsolicited findings with some ratings on the side +
+ Drosselmeyer (magical man who is high camp incarnate and kind of to blame for everything) varies in creepiness depending - it seems to me - where the production sits between 'frou frou sugar induced dream sequence' to 'bildungsroman of especially messed up feminine archetype' +
There's always a transformation where the lead is 'shrunk' to the size of the Nutcracker, the success of which most clearly reveals the clash between ambitions of set design, the choreographer and/or director during production +
And the orientalism (and worse in some cases) is OFF THE CHARTS. Like, *breathes* I thought I was ready. I thought I knew... life, you know?
The Nutcracker proved to me that I do not know... life. Just. Wow.
Anyhoo. Ratings!
Anyhoo. Ratings!
First up: ENB Nutcracker Delights. Is it fair to rate alongside others as it was a shortened version? Meh whatevs.
(Sorry also scoring is on design, corps performance, Drosselmeyer, transformation scene and... that ineffable other. The few things consistent between productions)
(Sorry also scoring is on design, corps performance, Drosselmeyer, transformation scene and... that ineffable other. The few things consistent between productions)
Back to ENB. Costumes were nice; styling was most up to date (having one black ballerina in the corps will do that I guess); Drosselmeyer had probably the most... inappropriate choreography out of all of them??? Wasn't sure if he was seducing Clara or just... I dunno.
Kept expecting Nutcracker man to tell him to back off tbh.
Rating: 7/10. Nice, chill, charming but forgettable has to be said. A full version wouldn't have annoying narration at the start. Corps was at usual high standard, though not Swan Lake levels which was a shame.
Rating: 7/10. Nice, chill, charming but forgettable has to be said. A full version wouldn't have annoying narration at the start. Corps was at usual high standard, though not Swan Lake levels which was a shame.
Then it was Royal Ballet (2018) version. Costumes were fab, transformation scene actually got me going "whoa!" (I'm a simple girl really). Everything was just very polished and engaging until the last 10 minutes where they decided to throw in a PLOT TWIST which set up for the +
'Marriage of Drosselmeyer' sequel or something?
Didn't really make any sense, threw it off tbh.
13/10 - the extra 5 all for Vadim because he is soo wholesome and amazing and one of the few male dancers who doesn't go all *intense coat rack* when partnering in classical stuff. +
Didn't really make any sense, threw it off tbh.
13/10 - the extra 5 all for Vadim because he is soo wholesome and amazing and one of the few male dancers who doesn't go all *intense coat rack* when partnering in classical stuff. +
So then it was the Mariinsky Ballet and I was initially so into this. Really interesting, unique choreography for the corps, amazing set and costume design (the Snowflakes bit looked like something straight from a 30s synchronised swimming sequence), Drosselmeyer totally having +
+ a well signposted affair with Clara's mother (I love a good backstory), transformation scene was probably the best by far - not overdanced *coughs*Bolshoi*coughs* - amazing... set based narrative? I don't know but the scene transitions were great.
Anyway, on track for +
Anyway, on track for +
full marks (although the Rat designs were a bit... naff), maybe extra for Clara helping to fight the Rat King but this gets -150 for the random af blackface. Yes, *blackface* and I know what you're going to say, Russian sensibilities etc. etc.
Sue me, whatevs.
-140/10. Bye.
Sue me, whatevs.
-140/10. Bye.
Then it was National Ballet of Ukraine, this time with DOUBLE THE BLACKFACE JFC.
Was mediocre wrt all criteria as well so.
-255/10 (I was rooting for you Ukraine! We were all rooting for you!!)
Was mediocre wrt all criteria as well so.
-255/10 (I was rooting for you Ukraine! We were all rooting for you!!)
So you can imagine my trepidation in advance of the Bolshoi Nutcracker (2011) but thankfully, no blackface!
This had some of the best acting from the corps even if leads were a bit... well... OK so to be fair, this production in particular emphasised the different takes +
This had some of the best acting from the corps even if leads were a bit... well... OK so to be fair, this production in particular emphasised the different takes +
+ that predominate wrt this ballet. The Russian ones seem to focus on the journey to womanhood aspect, whereas the UK ones are all about that Dickensian ideal of Christmas thing. +
+ So there's no Sugar Plum Fairy in the Russian ones - the denouement is all Clara taking her place as Woman/Queen/...Wife?? 
Yeah the Bolshoi leaned *heavily* into that last part.
Much like the Royal Ballet production, once I *got* what it was doing, it was fine +
Yeah the Bolshoi leaned *heavily* into that last part.
Much like the Royal Ballet production, once I *got* what it was doing, it was fine +
+ no, indeed it was technically excellent and more engaging on a theoretical level than emotionally. Drosselmeyer was extra creepy, the tree was glorious, but OMG THE RAT KING WAS APPALLING. Like, homemade costume out of old tights for a primary school production appalling. +
I felt so bad but also... I mean it was hilarious can't lie. So for Bolshoi, with the ending and the King Rat shenanigans, it's 7/10.
Anyway, tonight am taking a break from Nutcracker and will be watching Scottish Ballet's The Snow Queen.
As always, if you'd like to join, DM me and I will send you links! Starts around 7:30pm, you can drop in and out whenever
As always, if you'd like to join, DM me and I will send you links! Starts around 7:30pm, you can drop in and out whenever
