Queensland Ballet: The Nutcracker -
Playhouse, QPAC, 12 December -
Artistic Director Li Cunxin has proved the naysayers wrong. With another sell-out season of Ben Stevenson’s The Nutcracker this year, it seems that sub-tropical Brisbane is more than eager to embrace this thematically very Eurocentric, fantastical Christmas ballet.
Queensland Ballet (QB) has more than delivered on the magic this year with a performance that, on opening night, positively sparkled from start to finish. The exquisite set and costumes (designed respectively by Thomas Boyd, and Desmond Heeley with Noelene Hill), enlivened by the magical lighting of David Walters, create a visual spectacle that is enchanting.
The Queensland Symphony Orchestra and St Peter’s Lutheran College Choir added to the enchantment with a glorious rendering of the familiar Tchaikovsky score.
The first Christmas party scene in its rustic farmhouse setting of lush browns, reds and greens, is richly detailed; each character clearly described and engaging, but so much happening on stage that the focus is happily pulled in all directions. Once more, the tippled capers of Paul Boyd as the doddery Grandfather and Janette Mulligan, the deaf, dithering Aunty, captivated.
The diminutive Teri Crilly was perfectly cast as Clara, lighting up the stage with her irrepressible smile and perfectly capturing the innocent joy of a young girl, without any of the cloying mannerisms often seen when an adult plays a child.
Hao Bin, a rather enigmatic, black-caped Drosselmeyer, wove his magic tricks with panache and a dramatic skill that continues to develop.
Emilio Pavan was a rather lascivious, tongue-lolling King Rat, accompanied by his gang of female rats en pointe, while their fight with the sword-wielding Nutcracker (Shane Wuerthner) and his troop of look-alike soldiers was performed by all with much wit and style.
The magic truly began as the Prince (Matthew Lawrence) guided Clara through the Land of Snow, the Snowflakes twirling and leaping in a frosty blue setting.
Natasha Kusch was exquisite as the Snow Queen. Her pas de deux with Lawrence, (a gorgeous confection of broad sweeping movement, big lifts and expansive use of the upper body), was seamless, executed with a serene, quite majestic demeanour. The chivalrous Lawrence was a faultless partner. They were such a pleasure to watch and will be missed, as both leave the company after this season.
The Kingdom of Sweets is where many productions of The Nutcracker come undone, for it is little more than a series of divertissements. However here, they were all delivered with thrilling exactitude in a powder blue setting of art nouveau inspired swirls, beginning with a very tightly executed Spanish pas de six.
The Arabian Dancers (Lisa Edwards and Emilio Pavan) were mesmerising; Edwards contorting her lithe physique into astonishing supported positions with a sensual elegance that drew gasps and protracted applause from the audience.
Zach Fang and Roman Frey (Pre-Professional Program student) were convincing sword wielding, karate chopping Chinese Dancers, while Mother Ginger (Yael Shervashidze) and her Ginger Children provided humour with several sight gags. Vito Bernasconi also drew admiring applause for his tightly executed Russian Gopak.
The Waltz of the Flowers, a swirling bouquet of pinks, apricots and green was presented with immaculate lines and technical finesse. As the Lead Flower Couple Eleanor Freeman, who is developing as a dancer of grace and elegance, was very ably partnered by the company’s newest recruit, soloist Shane Weurthner.
Clare Morehen was an enchanting Sugar Plum Fairy. Light and pliant, with beautiful control, she exuded a calm warmth and, partnered by Lawrence, explored every musical nuance of the glorious grand pas de deux. Again, the charismatic Lawrence charmed with his immaculate technique and princely demeanour.
This Ben Stevenson production is a Nutcracker in miniature; not to be compared with the opulent productions of the larger world companies, but nevertheless a carefully crafted, beautifully realised little gem.
- DENISE RICHARDSON
The Nutcracker closes December 23.