Performer: Alexandra Flood

When is The Nutcracker not The Nutcracker? When's it's mashed together with Tchaikovsky's Iolanta to represent the blind princess’ inner world in a dark interpretation. 

Lotte de Beer’s new retelling at the Volksoper reintroduces the element of shock into Bizet's popular opera. 

At the Grachtenfestival in Amsterdam, director Lotte de Beer presents a trendy and upbeat take on Traviata, unfortunately marred by a dumbed-down arrangement of Verdi’s music.