What is the story of The Nutcracker?
There are many versions of this classic tale, but nearly all of them involve Clara being given a Nutcracker, and being transported into a world of magic and wonder.
The ACO Families version of the story begins on a magical and mysterious night on Christmas Eve. In the family living room, the stockings are hanging, presents are under the tree, and the household is ready for Christmas Day.
Young Clara, longing for a friend, encounters the mysterious Drosselmeyer, a magician who appears to be summoned from mid-air. He gifts Clara a beautiful Nutcracker toy.
Clara is so taken with her new toy that she accidentally breaks off its arm while dancing with it. She is heartbroken, but through the power of magic, Clara’s dreams can come true and her Nutcracker comes to life.
The scary Mouse King appears, threatening to turn Clara’s dream into a nightmare, but Clara defeats the Mouse King in battle, allowing her dream to finally begin.
Clara and the Prince enter the wondrous Land of Magic, finding exquisite Aussie treats to hang on the Christmas tree – bush tomatoes, river mint, tea tree, finger limes, lemon myrtle, wattle seeds and sugar plums. Each treat is accompanied by a beautiful dance.
In this special Australian adaptation, popular pieces like the Waltz of the Flowers and Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (watch below) have become the ‘Wattle Seed Waltz’ and ‘Desert Plum’.
After having so much fun, Clara grows sleepy, curling up under the Christmas tree.
Clara awakens, wondering if it was all a dream. She turns around to see the Christmas tree adorned with delicious treats, and spots her Nutcracker doll underneath.
Through the power of magic, Clara’s dreams have come true!
Who are the main characters in The Nutcracker?
Our main character is young Clara, a talented ballerina with a kind and adventurous nature. The other main character is the Nutcracker himself, a household object who is later transformed into an elegant Prince.
Finally, there is the scary Mouse King, who is defeated by Clara in battle, bringing peace to the household once more.
The music of The Nutcracker was composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1892.
Tchaikovsky was a Russian composer, born in 1840 and famous for his ballets, symphonies, concertos, operas and chamber Music. His ballets, including Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty, remain some of the best loved pieces of classical music ever written, and his 1812 Overture, symphonies and concertos are frequently performed in concert halls around the world.
For our ACO Families production of The Nutcracker, Bernard Rofe has arranged Tchaikovsky’s original music into a special score for string quartet (two violins, viola, and cello) and celeste (a keyboard instrument).
Who wrote the story of The Nutcracker?
The ballet’s original plot was adapted from short story The Nutcracker by Alexandre Dumas, who also wrote The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers. Dumas’s short story was itself a retelling of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by German author E. T. A. Hoffmann.
For our ACO Families production of The Nutcracker, writer George Kemp has adapted this time-honoured tale for the Australian stage, celebrating the delights of the Australian bush. The music and story are set to incredible choreography by choreographer Ella Havelka. Everything has come together under watchful eyes of director Elsie Edgerton-Till and artistic advisor David McAllister.
Why is the nutcracker a Christmas symbol and tradition?
Giving nutcrackers as gifts were a German tradition from centuries ago, due to their reputation for bringing good luck.
The association with Christmas came with Tchaikovsky’s ballet, The Nutcracker, itself, due to it being set on Christmas Eve.
The ACO Families production of The Nutcracker shows at ACO On The Pier, 13 – 22 December. Click here to check for any last few remaining tickets.
