Storyhouse, Chester- until Friday 22nd February 2019.
Reviewed by Joseph Everton
4****
The Moscow City Ballet, brainchild of Victor Smirnov- Golovanov and now under the charge of artistic director, Luidmila Neroubachtchenko, has extensively toured the globe since 1988, sharing Smirnov- Golovanov’s interpretation and celebration of the ideas of 19th and 20th century Russian choreographers with the world. The climate of political distrust wasn’t on the minds of the Cheshire audience as this beautiful production brought a welcome distraction and a splash of festive nostalgia to a midweek evening in February.
The emphasis was on storytelling in Act One, where the cast displayed their ability to act, as well as dance with Daniil Orlov impressing as Drosselmeyer. At times, I forgot that it was February as the stage filled with Christmas colour, gifts, a tree and a short cameo for Santa Clause. Certain scenes sometimes felt a little rough around the edges, with an over use of slightly tacky props reminding me more of a low-budget children’s production than a celebrated ballet. However, this did help to provide an easy-to-follow narrative to Nutcracker newbies.
As perhaps Tchaikovsky and original choreographers Petipa and Ivanov had little more to add to the original story of ‘The Nutcracker and the Mouse King’ by E.T.A. Hoffman, Act Two was largely devoted to divertissement after divertissement. This provided a chance for individuals from the corps de ballet to demonstrate their ability with the stage to themselves, flanked by lines of dancers subtly changing position but not distracting from the main event, and they delivered excellently. Kozhabayev Talgat showing he was the full package, delighting with a powerfully precise and athletic display.
The Moscow City Ballet’s The Nutcracker was a testament to Russian artistry and the skill of Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, done justice by an accompanying orchestra. It was enthralling, enjoyable and would provide an excellent introduction to ballet to all who have not yet experienced it.