The Nutcracker
Sydney Opera House
The ultimate festive adventure returns to Sydney this holiday season, as The Australian Ballet presents Sir Peter Wright’s enchanting production of the eternal classic The Nutcracker.
Audiences can unwrap the final treat in the Company’s 2024 season when The Nutcracker shows at the Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House from 30 November – 18 December.
Last performed in 2019, this extravagant interpretation of the classic tale follows the precocious young protagonist Clara, who receives a charming nutcracker doll from her uncle, the magician Drosselmeyer, at her Christmas Eve party.
Once the guests have departed, the toys come to life and Clara is whisked away on a magical adventure to the marvelous Land of Sweets, where she meets enchanting characters, including the Nutcracker Prince, the wicked Mouse King, and the Sugar Plum Fairy. 
The Nutcracker was the third and final ballet score Tchaikovsky composed, following Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty. It features some of the most famous melodies in the ballet canon, including the iconic crystalline notes of the celesta playing through the ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.’
The Australian Ballet Artistic Director David Hallberg said, “The Nutcracker has long been a holiday tradition for families around the world, so it is fitting to conclude the year with a work that epitomises the absolute beauty of classical ballet. Personally, the grand pas de deux was always a favorite of mine to dance. The score is so deeply rich and full of magic, with Wright’s production set to transport audiences to a whimsical land of breathtaking grandeur.”
“Although this masterpiece has transcended generations for more than a century, The Nutcracker is still an integral piece of our Company’s repertoire. I am particularly excited for our dancers and audience members who will be experiencing it for the very first time,” he added.
Sir Peter Wright created this production in 1990 while serving as Artistic Director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet. It has since become one of the most admired versions of The Nutcracker across the globe, with Wright’s interpretation first staged by The Australian Ballet in 2007. His traditional style harks back to the original nineteenth-century production by the father of classical ballet, Marius Petipa.
John F. Macfarlane’s costume and set designs conjure the magical world through Clara’s eyes. From the cozy hearth of her Edwardian home to the shimmering Land of Snow, to the colourful dancing flowers and candy-striped Mirlitons in the Land of Sweets, all create a fanciful visual feast for audiences.
Join The Australian Ballet for a journey into a world of wonder and create cherished memories with family and friends this holiday season.
Bookings: https://australianballet.com.au/performances/the-nutcracker
