Review: The Nutcracker - The Russian State Ballet Of Siberia @ SDH
The Russian State Ballet & Orchestra of Siberia - The Nutcracker
St David's Hall, Cardiff
Sunday 27th December 2015
Let me just say that I believe it is impossible not to love The Nutcracker.
When every single music piece has become famous all over the world, and you recognise them by the very first chords, when The Nutcracker itself is now a symbol of Christmas cheer and winter holidays - everything about it fills my heart with joy.
The Nutcracker is the second ballet I've seen performed by the Russian State Ballet of Siberia. This performance leaves the new, raw in a lot of perspectives production of The Snow Maiden far behind. I can only wonder if one of the reasons for that is the many seasons they've been showing The Nutcracker for already.
Together with the delightful music by Tchaikovsky, the sets and the costumes of the dancers will immediately take you to a fairy-tale world of The Nutcracker. They create a perfect atmosphere of a light, even fragile dream-like reality, where you "travel through the Land of Snow to an enchanted place where the magic really begins" (The Nutcracker synopsis, The Russian State Baller of Siberia). The graceful dancers will make you forget completely that you're actually sitting in a red chair in this giant hall full of kids who are lucky to get a glimpse of this magical world for the first time.
Some say that The Nutcracker is meant mostly for kids, and they have a point. Colourful castles, Christmas toys, little boys and girls playing with dolls and the Prince with his little Princess in the centre of it all - no doubts that's something you would like to introduce your kids to, but be assured, whatever the age, you're not going to enjoy this performance any less than the children.
My personal very favourite part of the ballet is (obviously) the Prince and Marie's dance in the second act. I was mesmerised by Daniil Kostylev (Prince) and Anna Fedosova's (Marie) performance, as well as by the orchestra's pleasant accompaniment.
Throughout the ballet the performance of the dancers is very moving and engaging, the music takes you back to the childhood years and brings up the best memories of the happy Christmas celebrations. Imagine all that complemented by incredibly beautiful decorations and authentic folk dances. Treat yourself to a journey to a true winter wonderland that is The Nutcracker.
Rating: 10/10
Click here for upcoming ballet performances at St. David's Hall in Cardiff
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1 Comment – Post a comment
Sam Sprout (Editor)
Commented 4 months ago - 14th January 2016 - 10:29am
The Russian State Ballet Of Siberia are back performing The Nutcracker in St. David's Hall 22nd-24th December 2016