A Christmas staple in London, this classic ballet returns for another year with its tale about a young girl who’s taken on a wonderful adventure.

Featuring Tchaikovsky’s glittering score, The Nutcracker follows Clara as she creeps downstairs on Christmas Eve to play with her favourite present, but a mysterious magician, Drosselmeyer, is waiting to sweep her off on a magical adventure.

The Nutcracker was first performed in 1892 at the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg, where it initially received a poor reception. Since then its combination of enchanting choreography and unforgettable music has made it one of the world’s best-loved ballets.

In Peter Wright’s classic production, the stage sparkles with theatrical magic, as a Christmas tree grows before the audience’s eyes, toy soldiers come to life to fight the villainous Mouse King and Clara is taken to the Kingdom of Sweets on a golden sleigh.

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