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Wee Nutcracker

A magical festive ballet for wee ones aged 5+ and their families

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Scottish Ballet’s Wee Nutcracker comes to Tramway!

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.

Supported by Albert Bartlett

Suitable for ages 5+, under 5s welcome.

Running time: The performance lasts approximately 45 mins with no interval.

#SBWeeNutcracker

Tramway 1, Glasgow

12 – 24 December 2025

Ticket prices

Adults £18, Under 16 £14

Family Tickets available as below with 25% off. Discount will be applied at checkout.

2 adult + 2 child
1 adult + 2 child
1 adult + 3 child

Groups 10+ and Access Bookings please email boxoffice@scottishballet.co.uk 

Availability Update

Last few seats remaining for weekend and holiday performances. Best availability Tuesday 16 December.

Supporting Partner

Logo for Albert Bartlett

 

Reviews

★★★★

‘An adorable festive treat for all ages’ 

The Herald 

 

‘It was the best thing I’ve ever seen in my life’ 

Nico, age 6 

 

‘Beautiful costumes, staging, storytelling and of course the dancing and music – absolutely wonderful. 45 minutes was spot on for the little ones. Absolutely magical. Well done to all involved.’ 

Audience member 

 

‘This will be a core memory for me and my daughter (also called Clara!). It was magical, warm and perfectly pitched at the audience. I loved the message at the heart of it too.’ 

Audience member 

 

‘Our family absolutely loved this performance. Our daughter was completely captivated, sitting on the edge of her seat and fully immersed from start to finish.’ 

Audience member 

 

‘As ballet fans now introducing our grandchildren to ballet, we were absolutely thrilled with the performance, story, and loved the choreography!’ 

Audience member 

 

‘Enchanting. Perfectly pitched for children.’ 

Audience member 

 

‘Loved this telling of the Nutcracker, what a gorgeous show! ’ 

Audience member 

 

Credits

Based on Scottish Ballet’s The Nutcracker

Nick is a white man with dark brown hair and a beard smiling at the camera
View full biography for Nicholas Shoesmith

Additional Choreography

Nicholas Shoesmith

A man with short, curly, light brown hair and a trimmed beard looks directly at the camera. He is wearing a white V-neck T-shirt, with a neutral white background.
View full biography for Robert Alan Evans

Artistic Collaborator

Robert Alan Evans

A young woman smiles as she kneels on the floor, opening a large red gift box with a yellow ribbon inside a spacious, bright room. Other people and large props are visible in the background.
View the cast list

Cast List

Find out which dancers are performing in Wee Nutcracker.

View the cast list

The Story

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.

Beginners call: an audio introduction to Wee Nutcracker

Get ready for Wee Nutcracker before attending the performance. Listen to our FREE audio synopsis, music and interview with Scottish Ballet dancers Antonia Cramb and Alfie McPherson.

A performer dressed as a clown in an ornate red and gold costume with dramatic makeup and a pointed hat covers their mouth in surprise, set against a black background with glowing red lights.
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Meet the characters

Get to know who’s who in our character guide.

Find out more

Watch the trailer

Studio rehearsal images

Two women in a dance studio: one is kneeling and wrapped in colorful tinsel garlands, the other stands holding an open cardboard box, looking at her. Ballet barres and dance shoes are in the background.
A young man in a black vest and hat stands, adjusting his hat with both hands, while a young woman in a gray leotard looks at him. They appear to be in a rehearsal or dance studio.
A young woman smiles as she kneels on the floor, opening a large red gift box with a yellow ribbon inside a spacious, bright room. Other people and large props are visible in the background.
A ballet dancer in a red leotard and white skirt leaps gracefully on pointe in a bright studio, one arm extended upward and the other to the side. Ballet barres and dance accessories are visible in the background.
A ballerina in a light leotard and skirt sits on the studio floor, stretching with one leg bent and one extended, looking to her left. Two blurred figures and props are visible in the background.
A woman in a black top and wide pants adjusts a top hat on her head, performing in front of four seated people who are watching her in a studio-like setting.
A ballet dancer wearing a black shirt, blue pants with white stripes, black socks, and a hat performs a dramatic lunge pose in a dance studio with colorful props and ballet equipment in the background.
Two ballet dancers perform together in a studio; one wears a striped shirt and a whimsical red-and-white jester hat, while the other wears a light-colored leotard and dark skirt. Both have arms outstretched, smiling as they dance.
A ballerina kneels on the floor, placing a Nutcracker doll back into a red and gold gift box. She is wearing a leotard and skirt, and is inside a dance studio with a smooth floor and closed double doors behind her.
Two young ballet dancers rehearse together. The woman smiles and holds the mans upper arms, while he looks at her intently. Both wear dance practice attire against a plain, light background.
Two men are in conversation indoors. One wears a striped shirt and a hat with red and white horns, facing away, while the other, in a gray shirt, faces him with a serious expression.
Two young ballet dancers sit on the studio floor, laughing and covering their mouths. They are dressed in practice attire with ballet shoes. Behind them, a cardboard box and clothes hang on a barre against a white wall.
Two young men sit on the floor of a dance studio, smiling and relaxed. One wears blue athletic pants and a black shirt; the other has a striped shirt and a bandana. Ballet barres and bags are visible in the background.
A young woman sits on a dance studio floor, smiling and bundled in shiny red, green, and gold tinsel garlands. Ballet barres and scattered items are visible in the background.
A man with a beard sits at a table, raising one hand and pointing while looking intently ahead. His other hand rests behind his neck. The background is bright and out of focus.
Two ballet dancers rehearse; one stands holding a red gift and gestures while the other, seated on the floor, smiles up, holding a nutcracker from an open box. Ballet barres and another person are visible in the background.
Three women in dance attire gather around a table with a large, red gift box. One woman kneels on the table, smiling, while the other two lean in, appearing to chat or share a moment.
Three female ballet dancers in colorful leotards and skirts stand close together, smiling and holding each other in a supportive gesture inside a bright dance studio.

Production images 

A young woman in a dark blue, off-the-shoulder dress smiles brightly and holds her hands up, palms facing out, against a black background. She wears a beaded necklace and appears happy and expressive.

Artist Elizabeth Williams as Clara on Stage in Wee Nutcracker. Photo by Andy Ross
A woman in a checkered pyjama shirt holds a colorful, elongated wooden object with painted faces, standing against a dark blue background and looking down thoughtfully.

Artist Elizabeth Williams as Clara on Stage in Wee Nutcracker. Photo by Andy Ross
A performer sits on a bed draped in a colorful blanket, while another dancer in a red costume bends dramatically on the floor, set against a dark, moody stage backdrop with blue lighting.

Artist Elizabeth Williams as Clara and Artist Theo Greenfield as Nutcracker on stage in Wee Nutcracker. Photo by Andy Ross
A performer dressed as a colourful clown leaps with arms and legs wide apart on stage, in front of a Christmas tree and dark background with red lights. An apple core prop sits on the floor to the left.

Artist Alfie McPherson as Russian Clown in Wee Nutcracker. Photo by Andy Ross

Performers on stage in colorful costumes act out a scene; one wears a large mouse head with a crown and holds a cane, while others appear to be reacting dramatically against a backdrop of glowing lights.

L to R Annabelle McCoy as French Fancy, Charlie Austin as English Sailor, Benjamin Thomas as The Rat King, Antonia Cramb and Gina Scott as Rats. Photo by Andy Ross
A performer dressed as a clown in an ornate red and gold costume with dramatic makeup and a pointed hat covers their mouth in surprise, set against a black background with glowing red lights.

Artist Alfie McPherson as Russian Clown in Wee Nutcracker. Photo by Andy Ross

Three ballet dancers perform on stage. One, in a purple dress, kneels and appears to be crying while holding fabric. The other two, in a red costume and black-and-white checkered outfit, watch her with concern. Purple lights glow in the background.

L to R Elizabeth Williams as Clara, Theo Greenfield as Nutcracker and Annabelle McCoy as French Fancy. Photo by Andy Ross
Under a spotlight a performer trying to walk against an artificial snow storm. The dark backdrop is decorated with many colourful, glowing baubles, creating a magical and festive atmosphere.

Artist Claire Tjoe-Fat as Mum. Photo by Andy Ross.

Venue information

Tramway is in the Pollokshields area of Glasgow’s south side. It is located at 25 Albert Drive, Glasgow, G41 2PE.

Close up of a dancer's arms held up separately with poised hands

Access

To book access tickets please email boxoffice@scottishballet.co.uk. To find out more about the venue please check out Tramway’s Access page.

Girl in maroon leotard on pointe on tree branch against a blue background in a wooded area
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How to get there sustainably

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Wee Nutcracker extras