REVIEW: Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker – King’s Theatre Glasgow 25th February 2012
One of the most popular dance productions ever staged in the UK, Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker returns to celebrate its 20th anniversary. This delicious theatrical feast has family-sized helpings of Matthew Bourne’s trademark wit, pathos and magical fantasy.
Nutcracker! follows Clara’s bittersweet journey from a hilariously bleak Christmas Eve at Dr. Dross’ Orphanage, through a shimmering, ice-skating winter wonderland to the scrumptious candy kingdom of Sweetieland.
Tchaikovsky’s glorious score and Anthony Ward’s unforgettable sets and costumes combine with sizzling choreography to create a delicious theatrical feast. Hailed by The Observer as ‘the undisputed king of dance theatre’, Matthew Bourne’s company New Adventures has produced some of the most successful dance productions of the last two decades including Swan Lake, Edward Scissorhands and last year’s sell-out hit, Cinderella.
This production is truly scrumptious, it is an absolute delight for the eyes, but the very best thing about it is the fact that it whips along at warp-speed. There’s no faffing, no unnecessary padding – it is quality from start to finish. If all dance productions were like this then I guarantee more people would go.
The quality of the sets, costumes and above all the highly talented dancers is just phenomenal and I defy anyone not to go awww as the snow falls on the frozen lake at the end of act one.
This was an absolute delight – there were repeated curtain calls with much whooping and hollerings of delight from the absolutely packed house. Thankfully dance is not dead in British theatre and long may Matthew Bourne produce quality like this.
