The Nutcracker: Theatre Royal

A dazzling world of dancing snowflakes, sumptuous sweets and a spectacular sugar plum fairy await ballet fans at Newcastle Theatre Royal as Scottish Ballet returns with family favourite, Peter Darrells The Nutcracker from Wednesday 11 Saturday 14 February. The production is a re-creation of the ballet originally produced over forty years ago by Peter Darrell, Scottish Ballets founding Artistic Director - a famous story-teller and an incredible dance-maker. Scottish Ballets Artistic Director, Christopher Hampson, explained: Id known about Darrells production of The Nutcracker when I was a child. The images of the hanging baubles in Act Two was in just about every dance book there was. A Nutcracker production, for most ballet companies, is a very important part of the repertoire. It is normally the most performed work and needs to be something that will last for generations. Peters production had done that, but it needed to be rested so that it could be rediscovered again and brought back with a fresh perspective. Its no accident that Ive chosen a Darrell work to put at the very heart of our repertoire. Peter Darrells magical world of The Nutcracker has been re-imagined for todays audiences by Olivier Award winning designer Lez Brotherston, adding sumptuous layers of plush Victoriana and traditional festive fare to the original 1973 production. This production will be as close to Peters original as possible - the point of bringing the production back is to see his beautiful, intricate choreography, adds Hampson.  In terms of design, I asked Lez to take inspiration from the original designs. So, although they are different, there will still be a sense of the original production. The essence of this being a family production is the key element and weve looked to gently incorporate some new ideas for a new audience. Weve been working closely with the Peter Darrell Trust to ensure that our new production has Peters intentions at its heart. The brief of the piece was unusual in that it existed before.  Its Peters production and it still feels like that as it should do, says Designer Lez Brotherston. Peters original designer was Philip Prowse and that feels quite meaningful to me personally.  Philips work was of great inspiration to me when I was at art school he tutored me on my final-year designs and his influences have stayed with me. Its still set in the 1870s and has that sumptuous, rich Victoriana feeling and there are bustles and tutus of course, but some of the costumes have been adapted to better show off the dancers line and the choreography.  Those who have seen the production before will remember Darrells famous Land of Sweets thats still there although my sweeties are slightly different, and theres a version of the Land of Snow too.  My interpretation of the house is also a little different and maybe therell be something special about the toys that the children receive as Christmas presents youll have to come along to see. Darrell's enchanting production has sparked the ballet careers of many young dancers who performed the roles of Clara and her brothers - including Scottish Ballet Principal Dancer Christopher Harrison who has seen his own dream come true and will be this time performing the star role of The Prince some twenty years later. Once again Scottish Ballet welcomes a very special cast of young dancers to the ranks of the Company's professionals for this inspiring production in which Clara, the littlest ballerina, is the one who visits the many magical worlds and saves the brave Nutcracker Prince. The Scottish Ballet Orchestra will also accompany the dancers live, performing the world famous Tchaikovsky score.