On the periphery of Leeds City Centre at Quarry Hill is a recently constructed, rather glamourous black glass cube which is the home of Northern Ballet and Phoenix Dance. This is where the magic begins as the former starts plans most likely as one Christmas holiday season ends, to bring another festive feast to the stage one year later and Northern Ballet’s version of “The Nutcracker” is a delight.
As I walked through the city centre to the Leeds Grand Theatre the lights were twinkling, Christmas music playing everywhere, and the Trinity shopping centre was bustling. My journey on the train was full of revellers decked out in tinsel, reindeer antlers, Santa hats and at one point the entire carriage was singing Jingle Bells at full belt. I kid you not! So, it’s hardly surprising that I was full of Christmas cheer before the opening strains of Tchaikovsky’s iconic score could be heard from the orchestra pit at Leeds Grand Theatre.
First, a little bit about “Northern” as it is now referred to in dance circles. I first encountered Northern Dance Theatre when I was teenager at the Civic Theatre in Barnsley. The company founded in 1969 was based in Manchester at that time and were on a tour of the UK. Since then, the company has had many reincarnations and artistic directors. Northern Dance Theatre became Northern Ballet Theatre, NBT and now simply “Northern Ballet”. When I was running my dance academy in Bradford, the company reached out to dance school Principals to invite their talented youngsters in the Yorkshire area to train in classical dance and the Northern Ballet Academy is still in operation today. The last time I saw the Nutcracker a few of the children involved were products of my own school and I have had one student take up a full-time contract with the company so Northern holds a special place in my heart.
Despite the name change, Northern Ballet has built a very strong reputation as a company who create incredible “theatre”. Acting and more specifically storytelling is at the very core of what they do and they are so good at it. The staging, choreography, direction and costume design is the work of former Artistic Director, David Nixon. From the moment two dancers stepped onto the stage to set the scene for family Christmas party I was transfixed.
This is a very traditional version of The Nutcracker and so I felt able to sit and let it wash over me. I have seen other versions of this iconic ballet that are set in different eras and with inventive ideas for delivery of the story but I honestly like my Nutcracker untouched and just as it was originally intended.
There are three definite scenes in two acts. In Act I we join the Edwards Family at their home and it is the “Night Before Christmas” glamorous house party where Uncle Drosselmeyer, performed superbly by Gavin McCaig, delivers toys to delight the children. Here we meetClara, beautifully danced by Rachael Gillespie who looked like she was dancing on air throughout. Clara and her brother Frederick are presented with a Nutcracker doll. As the family guests end the party Drosselmeyer stays behind, unseen, to cast his magic and this is where fantasy takes over to sweep us all away from reality.
A giant Christmas tree grows before our eyes, the house mice come out to play and Clara creeps down to retrieve her Nutcracker Doll from under the Christmas tree to see the Mouse King (Bruno Serraclara), causing mayhem, and in this ballet being rather cheeky much to the delight of the audience. Drosselmeyer weaves yet more magic and transforms Clara’s Nutcracker into a Nutcracker Prince, danced by Harris Beattie, who defeats the Mouse King to bring order to the chaos. Scene II finishes with Drosselmeyer sending Clara and her Prince in a magic sleigh through a winter wonderland to see snow maidens dancing as they gaze up to the moon and stars.
A quick interval break for some Christmas cheer and then we join our principal duo once more as they settle into a smorgasbord of magical entertainment in the garden of delights.
Clara is introduced to Sugar Plum Fairy, danced beautifully by Saeka Shirai, and her Cavalier danced by Jonathon Hanks. Everyone is dancing in Clara’s honour and we witnessa Russian dance, Arabian Cossacks, French ballet dancers and even the flowers dance! My favourite on this occasion was the Spanish dancer, Kevin Poeung, who displayed such precision in his technique and musicality; a really commanding display.
The real show pieces ensue with Sugar Plum and the Cavalier taking centre stage to dance their pas de deux and the solo variations. Spellbinding, breathtakingly beautiful and just so traditionally glorious. It’s every little budding ballerina’s dream to be Sugar Plum and I was enthralled by Saeka’s portrayal on this occasion.
All good things must come to an end however, even at Christmas, and Clara finds herself in her father’s arms. It’s Christmas morning and she tries to tell her family about her adventure. Could it have all been a dream? As she turns to leave she catches a glimpse of Uncle Drosselmeyer and the Nutcracker Prince. Not a dream after all then.
Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker is on at Leeds Grand until 7th January 2023. Keep the festive spirit going and grab a ticket so that you too can be transported to a magical place as we head into a New Year.
Book your Tickets HERE
Reviewed by Deana Morgan @deanamorgandance
