The Nutcracker
A MAGICAL FAMILY ADVENTURE
Costumes plucked from the most gorgeous chocolate box; Tchaikovsky’s score to transport you to a land of dreams; and a story lifted straight from the pages of a classic fairy tale.
We follow Clara on a journey through the worlds of her imagination, as she drifts off to sleep on Christmas Eve. She meets the Nutcracker Prince, takes on the larger-than-life Rat King, sees snowflakes dance in the Land of Ice and Snow, and is whisked into the luscious Land of Sweets by the Sugar Plum Fairy!
Scottish Ballet’s The Nutcracker brings light and joy to winter for audiences of all ages. Enjoy a visual feast as we take you and your family on a fantastical adventure. With live music played by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra, this ever-popular ballet is the perfect festive treat.
This winter, The Nutcracker will be more magical than ever. Choreographer/Director Christopher Hampson CBE, along with Scottish Ballet’s dancers and resident choreographers, are revisiting this beloved production, creating new choreography to infuse it with even more sparkle and excitement, drawing inspiration from our founder Peter Darrell’s original version.
Scottish Ballet’s The Nutcracker promises to enchant a new generation of audiences while honouring the timeless magic that has made it a cherished holiday tradition.
Running time: The performance lasts approximately 1 hour 50 minutes including one 20-minute interval.
#SBNutcracker
Tour Dates
Theatre Royal, Glasgow
6 – 30 December 2024
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
8 – 18 January 2025
Eden Court, Inverness
22 – 25 January 2025
His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen
29 January – 1 February 2025
Theatre Royal, Newcastle
6 – 8 February 2025
Scottish Ballet’s Nutcracker is a captivating treat for all ages
The Herald
A confident, enchanting and highly stylish take on a much-loved classic – a gorgeous Christmas ballet
The Telegraph
Credits
Director & Choreographer
Christopher Hampson CBE
Music
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Lighting
George Thomson
Set & Costume Design
Lez Brotherston OBE
Additional Choreography
Javier Andreu
Annie Au
Jessica Fyfe
Sophie Laplane
Nicholas Shoesmith
Kerry Livingstone
Audio Introduction
Get ready for The Nutcracker before attending the performance. Listen to our FREE audio synopsis, music and interview with Scottish Ballet dancers.
Extra Events
Warming Up for The Nutcracker
Join us at your local theatre to watch the company take class before a day of performances of The Nutcracker.
Access
Audio Described Performances
In each venue we offer an Audio Described performance on a Saturday afternoon for people with visual impairments. These performances are preceded by a Touch Tour.
Relaxed Performance
In Edinburgh we offer a Relaxed performance for anyone who would benefit from watching The Nutcracker in a more informal setting.
Access
Find out more about Scottish Ballet’s access offering from performances and films, to classes and visiting our building.
Synopsis
Act 1
On Christmas Eve, the Colonel and Lady Stahlbaum host a grand party for their children, Clara and Fritz. The room comes alive as friends and family gather, including the children’s godparents and their eccentric aunts. The children’s faces light up when the Christmas tree is revealed, and they receive their presents.
The mood is transformed when the mysterious Drosselmeyer arrives, accompanied by three magical entertainers. Drosselmeyer brings a very special gift for the family — a strange nutcracker in the shape of a handsome prince. When Fritz breaks the nutcracker in a playful tussle, Drosselmeyer swiftly repairs it and gives it to Clara, who becomes enchanted by this curious gift.
As the party ends, the lights dim, and the room falls into eerie darkness. Clara falls asleep, clutching her nutcracker and her parents carry her to bed. At midnight, the room fills with giant mice searching for the nutcracker. Clara awakens, snatches back the nutcracker, and watches in awe as Drosselmeyer brings the nutcracker to life in the form of a Prince. The Nutcracker Prince leads toy soldiers in a fierce battle against the evil King Rat and his army of mice. With Clara’s brave help, the Prince defeats the King Rat.
As a reward, Drosselmeyer sends Clara and the Prince on a wondrous journey to a shimmering land of snow. They meet the graceful Snow Queen and her Snowflakes, who dance with the Nutcracker Prince, while Clara is surrounded by swirling Snowflakes. The Snow Queen gives Clara a sleigh, and the journey continues as they wave goodbye.
Act 2
Clara and her Nutcracker Prince arrive in the dazzling Land of Sweets, where the enchanting Sugar Plum Fairy greets them. She orders a magnificent banquet of dances from around the world. The celebration closes with a delightful Waltz and a breathtaking grand pas de deux performed by the Nutcracker Prince and the Sugar Plum Fairy.
As the festivities end, Clara begins to drift off to sleep. The Land of Sweets magically transforms back into her familiar drawing room. Her parents find her asleep on the floor, still holding her beloved nutcracker. The Colonel gently lifts her to bed, but as Drosselmeyer suddenly reappears, we wonder: did it really happen, was it all a dream, or was it another of Drosselmeyer’s mysterious tricks?