Queensland Ballet: The Nutcracker
The Playhouse, QPAC, 9 December
It’s snowing again in Brisbane with Queensland Ballet’s annual season of The Nutcracker in full swing, and playing to packed houses. This ballet confection, celebrating the clichéd, Eurocentric version of a wintery Christmas, continues to charm and delight local audiences. And as the familiar strains of the Tchaikovsky overture began, I too, almost despite myself, settled comfortably, ready to once again, be transported.
The opening scene, set in the warmly rustic Stahlbaum farmhouse, immediately captivates with its finely tuned attention to dramatic and comedic detail. The action is unceasing, pulling the attention every which way, and delivered by all, including the children, with conviction.
The old familiar characters are still there, but this year inhabited by some new faces. Making her debut as Clara, Mia Heathcote perfectly captured the character’s youthful innocence with a sincerity and charm, anchoring the action throughout the two-act ballet with a natural ease.
Vanessa Morelli, the deaf, dithery Aunty, and Rian Thompson as the befuddled Grandfather, easily met the bar set previously by veterans Janette Mulligan and Paul Boyd, with some beautifully crafted comic moments. Sophie Zoricic made it a trio of tippling octogenarians, with her delightfully bossy Grandmother.
Zuquan Kou, as Clara’s brother Fritz, was convincingly brattish, with beautifully executed turns and beats, while the mercurial Dr Drosselmeyer (Shane Wuerthner) conjured magic for the awe-struck children with a deft and dazzling elegance. In the mix, Teri Crilly, in a bit role as one of the more naughty children, crafted it with such comedic skill, she at times threatened to steal the show.
Rats en pointe (always guaranteed to amuse) and the robotic precision of the look-alike toy soldiers, helped make the battle scene and final duel between the Nutcracker (Zhi Fang) and King Rat (Thompson again), delightfully engaging. However, the magic truly begins as the Prince (Alexander Idaszak) guides Clara through the Land of Snow, the Snowflakes twirling and leaping in a frosty blue setting.
As the Snow Queen, Laura Hidalgo was sublime. Her pas de deux with Idaszak, (a gorgeous fusion of broad sweeping movement, soaring lifts and expansive use of the upper body), was seamless, and effortlessly executed. Company dancer Idaszak, in his debut as the Prince, was impressive. Chivalrous, and noble in his bearing, Idaszak was a faultless partner.
While the Kingdom of Sweets is little more than a series of divertissements, in this production’s powder blue setting of art nouveau inspired swirls, all were delivered with thrilling exactitude, beginning with a very tightly executed Spanish pas de six.
Lina Kim and Joel Woellner made a lithesome Arabian couple, with D’Arcy Brazier and Zuquan Kou following in a convincing sword wielding, Karate chopping Chinese duet. Liam Geck, again as Mother Ginger, provided sight gags aplenty, and Vito Bernasconi has now drilled the Russian Gopak to dazzling precision, drawing much admiring applause.
Tara Schaufuss (leaving the company for Europe shortly), Neneka Yoshida and Fang also sparkled as Mirlitons – Fang deftly executing the flying batterie.
The Waltz of the Flowers, a swirling bouquet of pinks, apricots and green was presented with immaculate lines and technical finesse by the female corps (with many new faces among them), headed by Crilly and Camilo Ramos, as a joyous Lead Flower Couple.
Yanela Piñera was an exquisite Sugar Plum Fairy. Feather-light, delicate, and with beautiful control, she exuded grace and elegance. Partnered by Idaszak, together they explored every musical nuance of the glorious grand pas de deux. Again, Idaszak impressed with his princely demeanour and solid technique.
Queensland Ballet’s fourth annual season of The Nutcracker shows no signs of stagnation, but is perhaps lighter, brighter, and more energetically delivered by the dancers than before. In a world that is changing by the minute, the constancy of The Nutcracker every December at QPAC could indeed be the perfect antidote, and a joyous way to end the year.
DENISE RICHARDSON
Photos: David Kelly