A little late, but now that the festive season is over, I’m taking some time to review two shows I saw this year. First was Wonderheads Christmas Carol, and then later I took in Ballet Victoria’s The Gift of the Nutcracker.
There is an undeniable magic of the nutcracker, and part of it is the longstanding tradition for many families to bring little ones (and their older ones year after year), as the excitement of so many families was palpable all throughout the Royal. I truly believe there is such value in creating art that is welcoming to audiences of all ages, and I commend Ballet Victoria in making this a core part of their annual programming.
The other part of the magic is Destrooper’s whimsy and utter joy in this retelling of a classic tale. There is so much fun and awe abound in the choreography. From the magic of Uncle Dross’ gifts, to each well thought out aspect of the costuming, to the comedic aspects cleverly included, all held us in rapt attention.
The journey from location to location in Act 2 always runs the risk of theme and repetition fatigue, but again, the clever choreography, beautiful music, and distinct costuming created interest from scene to scene. One of the issues with Act 2 is that structurally, it is a little bit lacking in deeper meaning or story, but if one chooses to enjoy it for the sake of a visually striking show, it is an enjoyable and lovely experience for an audience member!
Much of the heavy lifting in setting the time and place in this show (and many of Ballet Victoria’s shows) relies on the incredible full-scale projections done by Jason King. With a wave of Uncle Dross’ hand, we are somewhere else and the scene is immediately clear. There is a balance to creating visually unique designs that literally tower over the scene but doesn’t draw attention over what’s happening on stage, and these projections are extremely effective. Despite all the locations that Clara visits, I can only recall four set pieces for the whole show!
(A note that Jason King is a friend and former colleague of mine. I was careful to consider any potential bias before publishing this piece.)
This is such a well-loved piece of dance, and combined with the live music of the symphony, there really is so much to look forward to and enjoy about this sweet show. A perfect gift for families of all ages, this is a perfect annual treat for anyone who wants to enjoy the magic of the season.
Disclaimer: I received free tickets to the show as a result of other volunteer work I do. No review was expected or requested.
