One of the most magical ballets of all time will bring seasonal cheer to the Midlands when the curtain goes up on Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker at Birmingham Hippodrome.

Audiences will be swept away by the excitement of Christmas during one of the most famous classical pieces of all time.

Simon Harper, from the Birmingham Royal Ballet, said the ballet would run from Friday, November 25, to Sunday, December 11, at the Hippodrome.

He said: “This unparalleled, world-famous production by Sir Peter Wright, complete with sets and costumes by John Macfarlane, the designer of the Company’s stunning Cinderella, is one not to be missed.

“What more could a young girl ask for at Christmas, than for all her dreams to come true?”

Speaking about the story of The Nutcracker he said: “After sneaking downstairs at midnight to play with her new Nutcracker doll, Clara is swept up in a fantasy of toy soldiers, giant rats, snow fairies, magic and mystery.

“After saving her beloved Nutcracker from the King of the Rats, she is whisked away to an enchanted land and dances the night away in his arms, meeting a host of strange and exotic characters, before she is finally transformed into a beautiful ballerina.

“The night passes in a blur and she wakes up on Christmas morning, at the foot of the Christmas tree, with memories that will stay with her forever. The memory of this amazing production will stay with everyone who sees it.”

The Nutcracker will be performed in two Acts, bringing magic to the stage.

Mr Harper added that Act II would leave people spellbound. He said: “Clara flies through the clouds and arrives in a strange place where a fantastic world is conjured up by Drosselmeyer.

“She is still haunted by her nightmare visions of the Rat King, who she imagines is pursuing her, but the Nutcracker Prince and Drosselmeyer banish this apparition forever.

“Drosselmeyer shows her the sun, the moon, flowers and dancers from many different lands, culminating in her transformation into the Sugar Plum Fairy, the ballerina of her dreams. The Nutcracker Prince reappears and dances with her.

“As the dancing reaches its climax the dream-world vanishes and Clara awakens at the foot of the Christmas tree.”

The production has dazzled audiences and critics alike, winning rave reviews. The Arts Desk described it as being “superior to any other presented in the UK today” while The Sunday Times described it as “sumptuous, with thrilling transformation scenes”.

Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker received its world premiere on December 18, 1892, at the Mariinsky Theatre, in St Petersburg, and was first performed by the Birmingham Royal Ballet on December 29, 1990, at the Birmingham Hippodrome.

Tickets are available at www.brb.org.uk or www.birminghamhippodrome.com

Andy Richardson