Sweet treat for Christmas: Queensland Ballet’s The Nutcracker

Rian Thompson as King Rat in Ben Stevenson's The Nutcracker for Queensland Ballet

Bronte Kielly-Coleman and Liam Geck as Clara and the Nutcracker in Ben Stevenson's The Nutcracker

Mia Heathcote and Victor Estévez as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince in The Nutcracker

Vito Bernasconi in the Russian Gopak in Ben Stevenson's The Nutcracker

Victor Estétvez as the Prince in Ben Stevenson's The Nutcracker

By Ruth Ridgway, 03 December 2023

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“the choirs of St Peter’s Lutheran College and Voices of Birralee created a pure celestial sound”

Reviewed at QPAC: Playhouse, Brisbane on 1 December 2023

The Nutcracker (Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov, Ben Stevenson)

Queensland Ballet

Nigel Gaynor, Conductor

Thomas Boyd, Set Designer

Desmond Heeley, Costume Designer

David Walters, Lighting Designer

Queensland Symphony Orchestra

Mia Heathcote, Dancer

Victor Estévez, Dancer

Vito Bernasconi, Dancer

Patricio Revé, Dancer

Lucy Green, Dancer

Natalia Makarova's La Bayadère: a night to remember in Oslo

Vikki Jane Vile, 17th April

Norwegian National Ballet gives a marvellous rendition of Natalia Makarova's La Bayadère. Opening night in Oslo was a strong argument for its place in any season, displaying ballet escapism at its best.

****1

José Martínez unveils his latest Don Quichotte in Palermo

Vito Lentini, 29th March

José Martínez has envisioned a Don Quichotte that recalls the original 19th century choreography while also acknowledging some of the notable 20th century versions and it's splendid looking.

****1

Dutch National Ballet's reimagined La Bayadère triumphs

Mark Vicente, 26th March

Dutch National Ballet's new production of La Bayadère does away with the ballet’s problematic gestures and movements, allowing the choreography to truly shine.

****1

American Ballet Theatre's double bill is short and sweet in New York

Ivy Lin, 15th March

American Ballet Theatre presents Balanchine's Raymonda: Grand Pas Hongrois and Ratmansky's Firebird which showcases the company well and provides a strong contrast.

****1

Mejia debuts in a sumptuous Sleeping Beauty at New York City Ballet

Carla Escoda, 12th February

Roman Mejia and a raft of soloist debuts galvanized Peter Martins' Sleeping Beauty. An elegant production with some incidental messiness and the structural liability of a princess' dependence on a kiss.

****1

Dutch National Ballet brings much needed heat to this winter season

Mark Vicente, 10th February

The Dutch National Ballet helped shake off those winter blues with a mixed programme that highlighted ballet’s love affair with Latin rhythms and movement.

****1

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Ruth Ridgway

Ruth, from Brisbane, Australia, has been writing about dance since 2000. Music and dance are her most abiding passions. She learned classical ballet in her youth, and later attended adult classes for many years. She also became a committed Latin and Argentinian tango dancer. Currently, she sings alto in a chamber choir. After a long career in publishing and communications as a writer and editor, Ruth studied archaeology and now works in a completely different field as a technical officer in the Queensland Museum.