Nutcracker

Rating:
Summary: The Nutcracker/The Royal Ballet
Review: I felt the director and choreographer took too much liberty in deviating from the original. I have seen many live and recorded versions of the Nutcracker, including the famous Ruth Page version in Chicago which ran annually for over 25 years. Never before have I seen such dowdy costumes in the opening party scene, or men dancing in the Waltz of the Flowers. What bothered me the most was the complete omission of Mother Ginger, one of my favorite characters in the ballet. Additionally, I though the inclusion of a suitor for Clara in the party scene was unnecessary.

I did appreciate the work done by the dancers who played Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: My favorite version of the Nutcracker is that produced by the Royal Ballet in the '80s. My family taped it off PBS on Beta (remember that?) and I would watch it every Christmas.

I was hesitant to buy this version over the older version, but I am glad I did. I have seen only a couple versions of the Nutcracker, but from those I can say that the transformation scene is AMAZING. There is a whole section on the DVD devoted to explaining how it was accomplished.

I had always wondered how the tree came out of the floor, in other versions I knew it had been folded like a Jacob's Ladder. In this DVD I found that the tree was mechanised and was raised like a Chinese lantern (it's all folded up small, but pull it and it expands into a gorgeous tree)!

Anyway, the performance is superb. Combined with the extras $30 is a fair price.

Rating:
Summary: a definitive nutcracker
Review: This version of the nutcracker is an old design by Julia Trevelyan Oman but has been re-done for the recently modernised and enlarged Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Taking full advantage of the new machinery, the Transformation scene is masterly, and the resultant "miniaturisation" of the cast is magical.

Of course, any ballet stands or falls by its dancing and in this performance Alina Cojocaru and Ivan Putrov as Clara and Hans-Peter are exemplary. Jonathan Cope is a wonderfully noble Prince. The whole production is a feast for the eye and comes as near to perfection as can be hoped for in this world. Sir Anthony Dowell plays Drosselmeyer and looks uncannily like Dame Ninette de Valois in his powdered wig! The sound quality is excellent. The disc also includes interviews with Dowell and the choreograher, Sir Peter Wright, and includes a fascinating demonstration and explanation of how the special effects are achieved. Buy it now!