Wee Nutcracker
2025
The Wee Nutcracker, premiered in 2025 at Tramway, Scottish Ballet’s base.
Enchanting characters are performed by our dancers in this specially adapted version of the beloved festive ballet, perfect for children aged 5+ and their families who are looking to experience their first ballet together.
Follow Clara on her magical adventures through the Land of Toys in a production designed to captivate young imaginations and introduce them to the world of classical ballet. Created by Scottish Ballet Associate Choreographer Nicholas Shoesmith and award-winning children’s theatre specialist Robert Evans (Little Red), this magical show brings the classic tale to life through delightful movement and engaging storytelling.Wee Nutcracker will feature excerpts of music from Tchaikovsky’s spectacular orchestral score, including a live pianist on stage.
We’ve created Wee Nutcracker with families in mind by adapting and modifying the content of the original production, and the duration has been reduced to 45 minutes. These modifications will make for a welcoming, comfortable, and relaxed experience for all the family to enjoy.
Last performed: Winter 2025. For current productions, visit our What’s On page.
Scottish Ballet premiere: 2025 (World Premiere)
Based on Scottish Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Additional Choreography: Nicholas Shoesmith
Artisitc Collaborator: Robert Evans
Original Set & Costume Designs: Scottish Ballet’s The Nutcracker, Lez Brotherston
Music: Excerpts from The Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky (Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor, Neeme Järvi. Courtesy of Naxos Music)
English Divertissement, Tchaikovsky (Scottish Ballet Orchestra, conductor, Gavin Sutherland)
Additional Music: Lucy Allan
Synopsis
Clara is wild, funny, and full of Christmas energy. Yet, at strict Mr Pringle’s ballet school, Clara is really struggling to keep up, and after one mistake too many, Mr Pringle expels her from the studio.
Clara returns home feeling sad. She puts on her dance shoes and tries some steps. Slowly, she finds her own way of moving which makes her happy. It is Christmas Eve and Clara’s granny arrives, along with a special gift — a mysterious Nutcracker doll. Little does Clara know, her world is about to be turned upside down.
That night, the Nutcracker doll comes to life. Clara teaches him to breathe, to walk, and to play — they become best friends! While they are playing, a portal opens to another land, and two rats appear causing trouble. Clara defends herself and the Nutcracker with all her might, and the rats eventually retreat. Clara’s wonderful confidence gives the Nutcracker an idea… and he takes her to the magical Land of Toys.
In the Land of the Toys, it seems the rats have been making mischief there too — Clara and the Nutcracker meet a frazzled French Fancy, a Toy Sailor who has lost his courage, and a rather chaotic Clown — it is Clara’s job to give them their confidence back. The friends are having great fun in the Land of the Toys until the Rat King appears.
Slamming the floor with his magical cane, the Rat King (who looks suspiciously like Mr Pringle) sends tremors through the ground. Suddenly, a hero emerges to save the day. It is Clara’s mum! With the Land of Toys saved, it is time for Clara to say goodbye to her new friends and return home.
At home, Clara’s granny has another special gift for her — a brand-new Sugar Plum Fairy tutu. Clara performs her own choreography, to the delight of everyone, but most of all her mum.
With courage, imagination, and a little help from her mum, Clara learns that being yourself might just be the greatest kind of magic there is.
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