The Moscow City Ballet’s rendition of The Nutcracker was beautifully crafted as they transported their audience along with Clara, to the vibrant world of the Sugar Plum Fairy. They retold the much-loved tale with majesty and grace, as the ballerinas soared across the stage and captured the magic that drew many to Orchard Theatre that evening. It was clear that Clara, played by Meaghan Hinkis, had discovered a whole new world through her titular nutcracker toy, through the use of the exquisite scenery. This was further embellished by the glittering fairy lights entwined in the painted nature background.
In the first half, the ballerinas playing the swans will be forever imprinted on my memory due to their beautiful, gossamer wings and perfect synchronisation with each other. Their sudden outfit changes, collided dramatically with the sharp crash of the cymbals, causing me to lurch out of my seat every time.
In the second half, the most memorable scene was the grand finale, where all the different nations gathered to celebrate the defeat of The Mouse King. This included ballerinas from India dancing in deep plum turbans and bejewelled gowns covered in sequins. Next were the dancers from China, who wore silky kimonos and had chopsticks embedded in their buns. Later the twinkling of the Sugar Plum Fairy’s tiara sparkled on stage and didn’t fall out once as she twirled around her fairy companions in layers of tulle. Of course this all ended with colourful confetti landing on stage, falling like rain amongst the ballerinas.
This familiar ballet brought a sense of nostalgia to the mostly elderly audience by transporting them back to their childhoods, with the familiar music of Tchaikovsky. For example, Maurine Wild, aged 75, said the performance was “fantastic” and “fast-paced.” Her sentiments were shared by the rest of the audience, who were simply in rapture- I could hear cries of wow beside me every time the prince spun Clara impossibly high in the air.
The ballerinas looked incredibly regal dressed in their splendour- for instance Clara had a sudden costume change into a pristine white tutu to match her prince. The other ballerinas were experts in communicating their emotions without a single word, through their facial expressions and coordination of their limbs. For example, a simple finger to the lips or a wave of the hand would allow the audience to know exactly what they were feeling. Also their painted faces matched perfectly to their ornate dresses- this only added to the effect that they were graceful fairies pirouetting across the stage dressed in their frothy tutus.
It was not only the female ballerinas chiffon outfits that were beautiful, but also the toymaker’s and the prince’s as well, who looked very smart with their jackets with golden epaulettes. Of course this was all accompanied by a full orchestra that immensely contributed to the ambience of magic created, with their soaring violins and drums signalling the oncoming of The Mouse King.
The grandeur of Moscow City ballet’s The Nutcracker can be perfectly surmised in the words of the audience member Terry O’Solomon, 79, who said “there are no better words to describe it than speechless.” This wholly encapsulates how these ballerinas illuminated the stage with their presence and spectacular dances.
Samira Chowdhury Woodford County High School
