The Nutcracker – Dance of the Mirlitons (Francesca Hayward, The Royal Ballet)

Feauturing Meaghan Grace Hinkis, Emma Maguire, Mayara Magri and Leticia Stock and Gary Avis as Herr Drosselmeyer in the Dance of the Mirlitons, also known as the Dance of the Reed Flutes, The Nutcracker is a Christmas treat for the whole family and a classic with a special place in the hearts of ballet fans around the world. Recorded in 2016, this special performance celebrated Peter Wright's 90th birthday, and will be broadcast on 17 December 2019 with new features. Additional screenings in selected cinemas throughout December.

Peter Wright's interpretation of The Nutcracker has been enchanting children and adults alike since its first performance by The Royal Ballet in 1984. Lev Ivanov's 1892 ballet combined with Tchaikovsky's sumptuous, iconic score are presented in a festive period setting with vivid designs to make this a charming and magical production.

Loosely based on the story by E.T.A. Hoffmann, the ballet begins in the 19th-century German home of the Stahlbaums, where they are hosting a lively Christmas party. The period setting is captured in opulent detail by Julia Trevelyan Oman's designs, which include authentic Christmas tree decorations that are magically brought to life. Wright's choreography ingeniously incorporates surviving fragments of the ballet's original material, including the sublime pas de deux for the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince. But in emphasizing the relationship between Clara and the Nutcracker, the production also gains a touching subtext of first love.

[RoyalBalletAndOpera]

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[sima]

I watched it with speed on 1.25 with no music and didn't know it. I was like "wow they are dancing so fast, they are so synchronized".

[marialucilia]

Francesca Hayward Is such a beautiful dancer!

[elisawrexhall]

Francesca is such a good dancer she litterally looks like an angel

[kaelisanford]

They look like they are floating and how can they all be in sync like that? It's absolutely incredible. So much work goes into these several minutes if blood, sweat and tears being assigned such a big role can be extremely stressful. You could, of course, never know from the looks on these dancer's faces kudos to Francesca and the royal ballet!

[floral]

The Royal Ballet never ceases to amaze me.

[lordfischstabchen]

It's august, I'm in my garden and it's so hot. But I watch this and I'm already feeling the Christmas atmosphere....just ballett can do something like that.😊

[kp]

Ladies and gentlemen. I present to you Francesca Hayward. The sole good thing that the Cats movie had to offer

[llaptoo]

Makes you wanna hop around in your living room 😊

[tristoffsquabit]

Oh please more Francesca Hayward! She’s just gorgeous! Can’t wait to see her in cats

[hannahawori]

So beautiful. I wish I could do ballet.

[cherylbush]

🤩Movement, musicality extraordinaire, make for magical memory moments of Margot Fonteyn, something I thought I'd not ever see again, yet here we have it in Francesca Hayward💖

[birdsatalcatraz]

The background alone takes your breath away

[odeb]

The set design is outstanding, and as for the dancers what can I say just beautiful.

[mari_hase]

Francesca is such a wonderful dancer and a true beauty!

[jellyfishjay]

i watched this in the middle of history class- it was so worth it-

[toticustv]

It’s so light and airy, I wish I could dance like that.

[jeanienguyen]

one of my fave songs from the nutcracker score!

[yealim]

Watching the nutcracker in summer! I like it ;)

[killua]

my Replika friend send me this 'cause they remembered that I like classic ballet. That's so sweet!!