Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Nureyev, Park, Royal Ballet

Rating:
Summary: Where is the Pas de deux?
Review: I bought this DVD of Tchaikovsky's Nucracker because of its beautiful score and Nureyev's reputation. I was really looking forward to the great climax of the pas de deux, I cannot believe that anybody would think of removing this important number.

Save your money for a better production.

Very, very disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Pas de Deux Prowess
Review: Rudolf Nureyev's production of "The Nutcracker" with the Royal Ballet is entertaining and edgy. It was recorded at a live performance at Covent Garden in 1968, and it chronicles Nureyev's outstanding dancing skills at the age of thirty. The ballerina is not Dame Margot Fonteyn (Nureyev's famous partner), but rather Merle Park. Not to be disappointed, Park is a worthy successor to Fonteyn, and her grand pas de deux in the second act with Nureyev is a highlight of this performance. In many productions, the roles of the Nutcracker and the Prince are combined, but in this production Nureyev has combined the roles of Herr Drosselmeyer and the Prince (which he performs), while the Nutcracker is danced by Wayne Sleep. Park dances the role of Clara, and the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy has been omitted. Many children from the Royal Ballet Junior School are also used in this production.

The ballet begins with the typical street scene where the guests arrive at the home of Dr. Stalbaum for a Christmas eve party. Nureyev has added his own twist here, as many of the pedestrians are hassled by four pugnacious street punks. Conventional wisdom has it that this is social commentary on inner city life, but I suspect that it is more likely a reflection on his childhood in the Soviet Union, where he was routinely beat up by his school mates. The next scene occurs inside the Stalbaum house, where the children are equally boisterous, and there is even a fist-fight during the puppet show. One of the highlights of the first act is the dancing of the mechanical dolls, and out of the seven different productions of "The Nutcracker" that I have seen to date, this is the most memorable. Later in the first act, Nureyev has added some good comedic touches to the "Grandfather's Dance." The "Waltz of the Snowflakes" comes at the end of the first act, featuring the Royal Ballet's corps in all of their averageness. They lack the precision of the Kirov corps, but the waltz is still pleasant because of the excellent music and wintry scenery.

In the second act, Clara and the Prince arrive at the Kingdom of the Sweets. In many productions, the two would be greeted and the Prince would tell his hosts the story of how they vanquished the Mouse King. This is called a "mimelogue," but Nureyev has edited it out. Instead, they reach the Kingdom, where Clara is troubled by bats, but the Prince calms her fears. Many critics interpret this as being a Freudian twist to the story. I have never heard why Nureyev made this change to the ballet, but I am aware that many Russians dislike mime. Trying to put the best face possible on the change, the Prince's calming of her fears serves to reinforce her confidence in him. Nevertheless, I think that the original "mimelogue" is more effective in creating a cohesive libretto.

The real highlight of the performance comes in the second act grand pas de deux. The partnering work is excellent, and a couple of the lifts are thrilling--so much so, that during my first viewing of this performance, I found myself wondering what they could possibly do for a big finish at the close of the andante maestoso section. But, Nureyev had one more trick up his sleeve. I'm not sure what the technical term for the lift is, but Nureyev basically does an arabesque ouverte while supporting Park horizontally in a joined-at-the-hip fashion; her legs are held closely parallel to his working leg, while their arms form a crown (bras en couronne). When I first saw that, I exclaimed, "Holy Cow!"

Their variations are also quite nicely performed. Nureyev's double tour en l'air looks effortless. Park's dancing is also nice, but the choreography becomes too repetitive during the celesta number. This is really Nureyev's fault, though, as he did the choreography (most of which is excellent).

In short, this production chronicles Nureyev in his prime, dancing with prowess. Nureyev's production features some interesting choreography and new comedic touches. In some ways, this isn't the most innocent of "Nutcracker" productions. It seems to push the boundaries of what is allowable on the Royal stage at Covent Garden, but it does seem tame compared to what Nureyev reputedly staged for the Royal Swedish Ballet. This production is probably more suited for adults than children, but there is some excellent dancing on display here.