Le Ballet national du Canada

Aperçu

Experience the wonder of the holidays with James Kudelka’s The Nutcracker, a spectacular family production. The adventure begins at a Christmas Eve party in a 19th-century barn and introduces siblings Marie and Misha to delights beyond their wildest dreams, from magical creatures to savoury treats and the glittering land of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Set to Tchaikovsky’s famous score and featuring magnificent sets and costumes, The Nutcracker is an unforgettable tribute to the imagination.

Bande-annonce de Casse-noisette

L’histoire

Squabbling siblings Marie and Misha are attending a Christmas party at their country home when their mysterious Uncle Nikolai arrives bearing gifts. Parmi ceux-ci, une magnifique poupée Casse-Noisette pour Marie, qui l’emmène ce soir-là dans la chambre d’enfant. C’est alors que la magie commence. The clock strikes twelve, the Christmas tree grows to enormous proportions and Marie and Misha embark on a fabulous journey that teaches them to get along.

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Fast Facts

• Marius Petipa choreographed the original ballet in 1892 and The Nutcracker is now a holiday tradition for families around the world.
   
• Kudelka expands E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King from the adventure of a solitary child to a sister and brother duo.
   
• The opening scene is a winter wonderland, complete with snowballs, hats, cozy scarves and a dramatic red coat for Uncle Nikolai.
   
• The Nutcracker is full of animals, from the tiniest Mice and Lambs to a pair of twirling Bears on rollerblades.
   
• The famous Waltz of the Flowers has the added feature of a fast-moving Bee, who performs some of the ballet’s most dazzling choreography.

Watch and Explore

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Le créateur

James Kudelka a été chorégraphe résident du Ballet national du Canada après avoir été son directeur artistique pendant neuf ans. He creates works of incredible musicality and vision for companies internationally, from original full-length ballets to short contemporary works and remounted classics. Kudelka was Resident Choreographer of Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie from 2008 to 2020.

The Score

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s suite for The Nutcracker is one of his three full-length scores for ballet and contains some of the most recognizable music in the classical repertoire. With this score, Tchaikovsky introduced the celesta, the keyboard instrument behind the twinkling theme of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Critiques

“The best Nutcracker on the planet.” – The Globe and Mail

“The Nutcracker is an unforgettable tribute to the imagination” – Ludwig Van Toronto 

“★★★★★/5 A glorious evening of ballet for the entire family” – Toronto Sun

Répartition des rôles

Casting will be announced on our eNewsletter, Ballet News, and on social media and will be posted here approximately four weeks prior to the opening. Please note, casting is always subject to change.

Crédits

Chorégraphe et libretto :
James Kudelka

Musique :
Piotr Ilitch Tchaïkovski

Conception de la scène et des costumes :
Santo Loquasto

Conception de l’éclairage :
Jennifer Tipton

Première mondiale : The National Ballet of Canada, O’Keefe Centre (now Meridian Hall), Toronto, 21 décembre, 1995

The Nutcracker is made possible by generous financial support from production underwriters Sandra Pitblado, C.M. & Jim Pitblado, C.M., Lawrence and Ann Heisey and an anonymous friend of the National Ballet.

The National Ballet of Canada gratefully acknowledges its collaboration with Canada's National Ballet School in the production of The Nutcracker.

This production is dedicated to Celia Franca and Betty Oliphant.
With respect, admiration and gratitude. – JK