The Nutcracker at the London Coliseum

On Friday 20th December 2013 I attended the English National Ballet's matinee performance of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker at the London Coliseum. We took a journey back in time to a frost-covered, gas-lit London and joined Clara, her Nutcracker doll and the magician Drosselmeyer in this traditional, festive tale.

This production of The Nutcracker was based on a concept by Toer van Schayk and Wayne Eagling. There were fantastic performances from Elena Glurdjidze as Clara and Fabian Reimair as the Nutcracker. Gavin Sutherland conducted The Orchestra of English National Ballet.

On an enchanted Christmas Eve, under the heavy boughs of the candlelit tree Clara battled with the Mouse King and fell in love with a handsome stranger. As the air grew colder and snowflakes began to fall, Clara and her valiant Nutcracker took a hot air balloon ride across the frost-dusted London skyline to the glistening Land of Snow where her adventure really began.

In a world of Edwardian elegance, The Nutcracker brought to life the eternally popular Tchaikovsky score featuring the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Waltz of the Flowers. This classical production is a magical, memorable and unmissable Christmas treat. This was the third year in a row that I have seen this production at the London Coliseum and it is always a wonderful experience and performance.

The Nutcracker at the London Coliseum

On the evening of Saturday 29th December 2012 I attended a traditional London Christmas performance of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker. My festive destination was the London Coliseum for the English National Ballet's production of this timeless classic.

A combination of Wayne Eagling's choreography and Peter Farmer's designs brought us the magic of Christmas while showing a darker version with the threatening presence of the Mouse King being felt throughout the ballet until finally good triumphs over evil. The Orchestra of English National Ballet played beautifully at this historic London Theatre while Tamara Rojo as Clara and Esteban Berlanga as the Nephew were outstanding. Tamara Rojo is in her first season as Artistic Director of English National Ballet.

The audience at the London Coliseum were taken on a journey back in time with the English National Ballet to a frost-covered, gas lit world with Clara, her Nutcracker doll and the mysterious Drosselmeyer in this traditional, festive tale full of Edwardian elegance. On Christmas Eve under the candlelit tree Clara battles with the Mouse King and falls in love with a handsome Prince. As the snowflakes begin to fall Clara and her Nutcracker take a balloon ride across the frosty skyline to the Land of Snow where her adventure really begins.

This was a magical and memorable treat not to be missed and showed us all the magic of Christmas combined with wonderful ballet and music. The setting was perfect as we were all enchanted by this perfect festive story. Christmas is not complete without The Nutcracker.

The Nutcracker at the London Coliseum

On Friday 30th December 2011 I made the traditional Christmas journey to London to attend a performance of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker. My festive destination was the London Coliseum for the English National Ballet's production of this timeless classic. This production was premiered last year, the creation of which was captured on the BBC documentary Agony and Ecstasy: a year at English National Ballet.

A combination of Wayne Eagling's choreography and Peter Farmer's designs brought us the magic of Christmas while showing a darker version with the threatening presence of the Mouse King being felt throughout the ballet until finally good triumphs over evil. The Orchestra of English National Ballet played beautifully at this historic London Theatre while Anais Chalendard was outstanding in the role of Clara.

The audience at the London Coliseum were taken on a journey back in time with the English National Ballet to a frost-covered, gas lit world with Clara, her Nutcracker doll and the mysterious Drosselmeyer in this traditional, festive tale full of Edwardian elegance. On Christmas Eve under the candlelit tree Clara battles with the Mouse King and falls in love with a handsome Prince. As the snowflakes begin to fall Clara and her Nutcracker take a balloon ride across the frosty skyline to the Land of Snow where her adventure really begins.

This was a magical and memorable treat not to be missed and showed us all the magic of Christmas combined with wonderful ballet and music. The setting was perfect as we were all enchanted by this perfect festive story. Christmas is not complete without The Nutcracker. 

Strictly Gershwin full of Ballet and Jazz!

Strictly Gershwin bringing glamour to the
Royal Albert Hall

On Saturday afternoon I attended the English National Ballet performance of Strictly Gershwin at the Royal Albert Hall. It may have been a day of sunshine and showers in London but inside this magical iconic building we were taken on a journey to the world of glamour created by George and Ira Gershwin.

Derek Deane's Strictly Gershwin mixes ballet, jazz, modern and tap dancing to provide us with a very spectacular show that enchanted us all. My highlight was Rhapsody in Blue which combined this musical kaleidoscope of America with classical ballet that summed up the whole spirit of the show.

This was bringing ballet to the masses with happiness and celebration.  Act I was Gershwin on Broadway with Overture, I've Got A Crush On You, The Man I Love, Fascinatin' Rhythm, Shall We Dance, Someone To Watch Over Me, 'S Wonderful, Gershwin-terlude and An American in Paris.

Act II was just as delightful bringing us Gershwin in Hollywood with Rhapsody In Blue, Embraceable You, Lady Be Good, Summertime, But Not For Me, Who Cares?, Strike Up The Band, It Ain't Necessarily So, A Foggy Day and I Got Rhythm. This was all performed on the large Royal Albert Hall stage that had us all applauding in great appreciation.

I had a wonderful experience at the Royal Albert Hall and very much enjoyed the show. I was tap dancing in the rain all the way back to South Kensington Underground Station.