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Returning to Hoffmann's tale: Nussknacker und Mausekönig revived at Ballett Zürich

By Graham Watts, 04 March 2020
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“Dominik Slavkovsky channelling Johnny Depp into a mystical creation”
Reviewed at Opernhaus, Zurich on 29 February 2020
Programme
The Nutcracker (Christian Spuck)
Performers
Ballett Zürich
Yannis Pouspourikas, Conductor
Rufus Didwiszus, Set Designer
Buki Shiff, Costume Designer
Orchester der Oper Zürich
Dominik White Slavkovský, Dancer
Michelle Willems, Dancer
Daniel Mulligan, Dancer
Alexander Jones, Dancer
Yen Han, Dancer
Matthew Knight, Dancer
Ina Callejas, Accordion
Giulia Tonelli, Dancer
Elizabeth Wisenberg, Dancer
More Dance reviews
Spuck delivers compelling drama in Staatsballett's season opener
Vikki Jane Vile, 24th October
Newly appointed Director of Staatsballett Berlin, Christian Spuck makes his mark with this season opener, a world premiere of Bovary, a ballet based on Gustave Flaubert’s classic novel of 1856. 
****1
Glitter, fun, surprises: Norwegian National Ballet's Beauty sparkles
Deborah Weiss, 3rd June
Closer to Matthew Bourne than Marius Petipa, Christian Spuck's Sleeping Beauty is full of invention, captivating the audience in numerous, unexpected ways.
****1
Christian Spuck’s acclaimed Verdi Requiem wows the Adelaide Festival
Brian Angus, 9th March

An exciting festival event spectacularly highlights a great blend of European and Australian talent.

*****
Ballett Zürich's Monteverdi celebrates music in dance
Sarah Batschelet, 15th January

Blending the music of Monteverdi with lesser-known contemporaries, and even some pop, choreographer Christian Spuck takes leave of Zürich with a work that is as full of poetry as it is of emotional charge.

****1
Christian Spuck's loveable Leonce and Lena returns to Ballett Zürich
Sarah Batschelet, 8th December
Spuck’s Leonce and Lena is a feel-good treat that lifts the spirits measurably and makes a fine case for the modern genre.
****1
Christian Spuck's enigmatic Winterreise revived by Ballett Zürich
Graham Watts, 13th February
Christian Spuck gives choreographic identity to Hans Zender's composed interpretation of Franz Schubert's Winterreise. 
****1
More reviews...
Read reviews of
Alexander JonesBallett ZürichBallett Zürich Junior CompanyBuki ShiffChristian SpuckDaniel MulliganDominik White SlavkovskýGiulia TonelliMatthew KnightMichelle WillemsOrchester der Oper ZürichPaul ConnellyPyotr Ilyich TchaikovskyRufus DidwiszusThe NutcrackerYannis PouspourikasYen Han
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Graham Watts
Graham Watts
Graham Watts is a freelance dance writer and critic writing regularly for Dancing Times, Dance Europe, Danza Europa, and many more publications. He regularly writes features for Sadler’s Wells, London Coliseum and La Scala. Chairman of the Dance Section of the Critics’ Circle in the United Kingdom and of the UK National Dance Awards he has interviewed many of the greatest names in dance including Maya Plisetskaya, Vladimir Vasiliev, Boris Eifman, Alexei Ratmansky, Andris Liepa, Sir Peter Wright, David Bintley and Dame Gillian Lynne. When not involved in dance Graham is a keen fencer, and has captained the British Sabre team.