Its kind of mind-blogging to realize that the traditional Christmas ballet NUTCRACKER has been performed since 1892. It seems that the changes it has undertaken over the past two centuries could hardly be considered significant that was until (Sir) Matthew Bourne got his hands on it.
His Nutcracker follows Clara’s bittersweet journey from Christmas Eve at Dr. Dross’s Orphanage, through a shimmering winter wonderland to the scrumptious candy kingdom of Sweetieland. Influenced by lavish 1930s Hollywood musicals, The Ballet features dollops of Bourne’s trademark 
wit, pathos, and magical fantasy. Tchaikovsky’s glorious score and Anthony Ward’s newly-refreshed delectable sets and costumes combine with Bourne’s dazzling choreography in this delightful production.
Now the 30th anniversary production of Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker! was filmed live at Sadler’s Wells, London, in January 2022, and is directed for the screen by Ross MacGibbon. It stars Cordelia Braithwaite as ‘Clara’, Harrison Dowzell as ‘Nutcracker’, Ashley Shaw as ‘Sugar’ and Dominic North as ‘Fritz
The film will be screening in more than 225 cinemas across the UK and internationally in the lead-up to the festive season on Tuesday 15 November and Sunday 20 November 2022. It will be the sweetest of treats this holiday.
P.S. If you want something less sweet then do not forget that Matthew Bourne’s multi-award winning all-male SWAN LAKE is still screening online at Amazon etc : always worth at least two more views
