The Nutcracker is back at Queensland Performing Arts Centre for its twelfth year as an annual festive treat! A beautiful Christmas tradition performed by Queensland Ballet; it was a full house on opening night at the Lyric Theatre.
Composed in 1892 by Tchaikovsky, this work (Op. 71) with its rich, renowned melodies has charmed audiences since its successful premiere in Russia in 1892. For some ballet companies, The Nutcracker is their biggest yearly ticket seller.
At its premiere performance in St Petersburg, the composer introduced to the world the magical, mysterious sound of the celesta for the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Whilst not a widely recognised instrument, it’s the celesta that plays the Harry Potter theme.
Conducted by Nigel Gaynor, Queensland Symphony Orchestra provided the majesty which is live orchestral music. I peered into the orchestra pit to look at their little celesta.
Clara was danced by Company Artist, Kaho Kato. A tiny, dainty being who combines delicacy with grace in her dancing, she was perfectly cast as Clara. Principal ballerina, the lovely Neneka Yoshida was a divine Sugar Plum Fairy. I was reminded of her exquisite performance as Aurora in Sleeping Beauty.
Principal, Patricio Reve was the Prince. An audience favourite, he was applauded the instant his powerful legs appeared on stage.
Senior Soloists, Kohei Iwanoto and Chiara Gonzalez were an elegant pairing as Snow Prince and Snow Queen respectively. They were a visual delight in the various pas de deux danced.
The company’s capacity for authentic characterisation is astonishing. Rian Thompson was versatile as both the grandfather and that revolting rat king. Meanwhile, Luke DiMattina was a very good at being a very naughty and disruptive boy before morphing into a disciplined Chinese dancer.
Russian born; Ivan Surodeev was an outstanding Gopak performer. The Gopak or Hopak dance with its crouches, stretches and leaps, is widely considered to be the world’s most challenging and difficult of dances to perform.
Mali Comlekci appeared as one of the athletic and combative Chinese dancers along with Luke DiMattina. The company farewells Mali at the conclusion of this year.
It’s been a complex year for Queensland Ballet but none of the challenges are reflected in the company’s standard for world class performance. Greg Horsman continues in his role as Acting Artistic Director.
The Nutcracker
Lyric Theatre – QPAC, Cultural Precinct, South Bank (Brisbane)
Performance: Friday 13 December 2024
Season continues to 21 December 2024
Information and Bookings: www.queenslandballet.com.au
Images: Kaho Kato as Clara in The Nutcracker – photo by David Kelly | Neneka Yoshida as Sugar Plum Fairy and Patricio Revé as Prince in The Nutcracker – photo by David Kelly | Artists of the Queensland Ballet in The Nutcracker – photo David Kelly
Review: Michele-Rose Boylan