National Ballet of Japan conquers the Nutcracker challenges

By Naomi Mori, 22 December 2020

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“crystalline technique, flowing movement and crisp turns and sugary sweetness”

Reviewed at New National Theatre, Tokyo: Opera House, Tokyo on 19 December 2020

The Nutcracker (Wayne Eagling)

National Ballet of Japan

Misato Tomita, Conductor

Ayako Maeda, Costume Designer

Ayako Ono, Dancer

Yudai Fukuoka, Dancer

The Little Singers of Tokyo

Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

National Ballet of Japan: a breathtaking Beauty opens the season

Naomi Mori, 25th October

National Ballet of Japan opened their 2024/25 season with Eagling’s The Sleeping Beauty. Haruka Sassa's Aurora, guesting from Staatsballett Berlin, and prima ballerina, Yui Yonezawa, debuting as the Lilac Fairy, were highly impressive.

****1

Ayako Ono dazzles in National Ballet of Japan’s Nutcracker

Naomi Mori, 25th December

National Ballet of Japan’s Nutcracker by Wayne Eagling is a family favourite, with lead dancers Ayako Ono and Yudai Fukuoka giving a flawless performance as the leads.

****1

ENB's Nutcracker: beautiful dancing but blurred narrative

Alexander Simpkins, 14th December

English National Ballet's current Nutcracker shows off the brilliance of the dancers across the ranks but after many years, the weaknesses in the plot and characterisation remain flawed.

***11

NEBT in Genesis Dance Project: a mixed set of offerings

Graham Watts, 2nd November

A curate's egg of dance.

***11

ENB's Nutcracker shows real strength throughout the ranks

Deborah Weiss, 15th December

Wayne Eagling's production for English National Ballet does not show any signs of waning popularity... audiences still want their yearly fix!

***11

English National Ballet's Nutcracker opens another festive run

Graham Watts, 16th December

Despite excellent performances, time needs to be called on Wayne Eagling's Nutcracker.

**111

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Naomi Mori

Naomi is a blogger living in Tokyo and travels frequently to see ballet. She is a law graduate of Waseda University and a former film publicist, film critic and IT business researcher/strategist. She blogs at La Dolce Vita in Japanese. She tweets about ballet as @naomip_86. and takes ballet class regularly

National Ballet of Japan conquers the challenges of Wayne Eagling's Nutcracker