The Nutcracker is a classical Christmas ballet by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, based on the story of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince. The audience follows Clara on an adventurous journey on Christmas Eve, with toy soldiers, snowflakes, mice and the Kingdom of Sweets.
The performance is based on Marius Petipa’s classical choreography and is presented by dancers from Etoile Production, a ballet company established in Kyiv by soloists from the Kharkiv Opera and Ballet Theatre.
The music is performed partly by a string quartet on stage, combined with a recording by the Kharkiv Opera orchestra. The live musicians form an integrated part of the performance, bringing the music and dance together.
The Nutcracker is suitable for the whole family and can be a good introduction to classical ballet for children.
CAST
Ballet soloists:
- Irina Khandazhevskaya, prima ballerina and soloist at the Kharkiv Opera and Ballet Theatre
- Anatoly Khandazhevsky, soloist at the Kharkiv Opera and Ballet Theatre
- Maria Shupilova, soloist at Kyiv Opera
- Kristina Kadashevich, principal soloist at the Kharkiv Opera and Ballet Theatre
- Katerina Andrenko, soloist at Odessa National Opera, Hamburg Chamber Ballet and Opera Poznan
- Dmitry Lazovik, soloist at the Belarusian State Academic Musical Theatre
- Vsevolod Maievskyi, soloist at Dutch National Ballet and former soloist at English National Ballet
- Larisa Hrytsay, soloist at the Kharkiv Opera and Ballet Theatre and Odessa National Opera
ABOUT THE PRODUCTION
The performance is presented by Kultur for Folket in collaboration with Etoile Production.
The production uses handcrafted theatre costumes and stage design, with professional stage lighting as part of the performance.