The Nutcracker

It is Christmas Eve and there is a big party happening at the home of a little girl called Clara. There is a large Christmas tree in the middle of the living room decorated with lots of lights. Brightly coloured presents are underneath the tree. Clara’s mother and father have brought magnificent presents for Clara and her brother Fitz. All of the adults leave for a special dinner while Clara and Fitz are left with their Godfather who is called Drosselmeyer.

Drosselmeyer magically makes three life-size dolls appear to entertain the children. Clara and Fitz want to take their toys to their rooms but their father forbids this and both children become upset. To cheer the children up, Drosselmeyer produces a Nutcracker Doll, which he gives to Clara as a present. Clara and Fitz dance around with the Nutcracker. Before long, it is time for Clara and Fitz to go to bed. Clara cannot sleep and creeps downstairs to find her Nutcracker doll. She falls asleep underneath the Christmas Tree and starts dreaming.

As the clock strikes midnight, giant rats and mice appear in the living room. The Nutcracker Doll becomes a life-size Nutcracker Soldier with many other toy soldiers and a great battle takes place. The mice and rats are led by King Rat and the toy soldiers are led by the Nutcracker soldier. The rats and mice are eventually defeated and the Nutcracker Soldier turns into a handsome Prince.

The living room then transforms into a Snowy Forest. Clara and the Nutcracker Prince dance together. An Ice Queen rules the forest and dances with the white Snowflakes for Clara.

Waving goodbye to the Queen and the snowflakes, Clara and the Nutcracker Prince continue their journey.

Clara and the Nutcracker Prince reach a palace in the Kingdom of the Sweets. The Palace gates are opened and they are met by the Sugar Plum Fairy. A magnificent party takes place. Dancers come from all over the world: China; Arabia; Russia and Spain.

Finally the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker dance together. As the party finishes, Clara becomes tired and wakes up to find herself back at home on Christmas Eve.

The End

Thank you to English National Ballet for the use of photographs from their productions of The Nutcracker. Every year for about 50 years they have performed The Nutcracker at Christmas - nobody has been doing them longer!

Visit the English National Ballet website for more information.