EMPIRE THEATRE, LIVERPOOL – UNTIL SATURDAY 5TH MARCH 2022
REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN
5*****
The sweetest of all Matthew Bourne’s treats returns, with a newly designed and reimagened production. Since the first performance and opening at the 1992 Edinburgh Festival, it is celebrating its 30th anniversary and touring the UK, it’s a Nutcracker! for all seasons.
Traditionally, Tchaikovsky’s 1892 Nutcracker is a crowd pleasing, yet skilful ballet with a beautiful and famous score. Martin Duncan and Anthony Ward worked with Matthew Bourne to create this new version to revamp the traditional Christmas story. Bourne’s adaptation keeps Clara’s (Katrina Lyndon) lovesick quest for her nutcracker (Harrison Dowzell) central to the plot and keeps a secure hold on the audience’s affections by taking them on a bittersweet journey of first love, growing up, adventures and dreams.
The designer, Anthony Ward worked with Bourne to create contrasting worlds. A bleak, darkly, comic Christmas Eve at Dr Dross’ Orphanage, a shimmering ice skating Winter Wonderland and the scrumptious candy kingdom of Sweetie Land full of dreams and fantasy. The climax of Ward’s set design, and also the highlight of the production, is the tree-tiered wedding cake, upon which all the characters dance, devour, slurp and lick their way around the layers. It is entirely a fantastical set and one that conjures up images of candy-canes and sugar delights.
Bourne’s choreographic style is a ‘pick n mix’ of dance styles including a bit of ballet, contemporary and modern. I experienced a sudden burst of sugar rush watching the performances of the Liquorice Allsorts, Knickerbocker Glory, Marshmallows and Gobstoppers, everyone looked good enough to eat!
Sugared, sweetened and satisfying Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker is a splendid adaptation of a classic ballet. If you fancy something special and non-traditional for a delightful treat this year, look no further