Performer: Martin Pakledinaz

It's 33 years since its premiere in Brussels, and in its eighth season in New York at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, this irreverent American classic is still firing on all cylinders.

This irresistible Nutcracker is a reliable delight in an increasingly unreliable world.

Harry Bicket brings verve and distinctiveness to a stellar cast in Stephen Wadsworth's production, which is neither conventional nor daring.

Helgi Tomasson and Yuri Possokhov's restaging of the 1869 Petipa classic brings a sunny smile to faces in San Francisco. 

With Tchaikovsky’s dear, familiar overture, the reassuring sameness of Wendall K Harrington’s slide show projecting 1915 San Francisco scenes onto the curtains, we were all, most decisively, back. 

Sumptuous costumes, brilliant colors, excellent dancers create a glorious show which is unfortunately too long for the material.