Nutcracker! comes to the Regent Theatre in Hanley

Nov 16 2011 by Will Harris, Crewe Chronicle

MASTER of modern ballet, Matthew Bourne, brings his take of Christmas classic The Nutcracker to Hanley’s Regent Theatre next week.

Welcoming back many of the dancers devoted to Bourne’s company New Adventures, Nutcracker! follows last year’s hugely successful production of Cinderella, which after an eight-week, sold-out run at Sadler’s Wells and a recent international tour, has now played over 200 performances and been seen by over 240,000 people.

The delicious theatrical feast has family-sized helpings of Bourne’s trademark wit, pathos and magical fantasy.

It follows Clara’s bittersweet journey from a hilariously bleak Christmas Eve at Dr Dross’s Orphanage, through a shimmering, ice-skating winter wonderland to the scrumptious candy kingdom of Sweetieland.

Tchaikovsky’s glorious score and Anthony Ward’s delicious sets and costumes combine with sizzling choreography to create a fresh and charmingly irreverent interpretation of the traditional favourite.

Bourne says: “To help celebrate this evergreen production’s 20th birthday, I have decided to cast the show with the next generation of New Adventures dancers, mostly making their debuts in these roles.

“With popular productions such as Nutcracker! now returning to New Adventures’ repertoire on a regular basis, it seems only right to develop and nurture the incredible young talent that we have in the company by giving them bigger opportunities and challenges.

“I am, though, delighted to say that the cast includes our original Clara from 1992, Etta Murfitt, who along with several other New Adventures veterans, will guide and inspire the younger cast members.”

New Adventures has produced some of the most successful dance productions of the last two decades including Swan Lake, Edward Scissorhands and last year’s sell-out hit, Cinderella.

Bourne is the creator of the world’s longest running ballet production, a five-time Olivier Award winner, and the only British director to have won the Tony Award for both Best Choreographer and Best Director of a Musical.

Nutcracker! runs from Tuesday until Saturday, November 26. Tickets are £20.50-£40.50, to book call 0844 871 7649.