The Nutcracker, Royal Opera House, review: Peter Wright’s production is a sumptuous and traditional festive treat

Tchaikovsky’s much-loved ballet stars Marianela Nunez as the Sugar Plum Fairy

Marianela Nunez and Vadim Muntagirov in ‘The Nutcracker’ at The Royal Opera House (The Royal Opera House. Photo by Alastair Muir)

There’s a glow of affection surrounding The Royal Ballet’s Nutcracker. Peter Wright’s production is a sumptuous and traditional festive treat, revived this year with particular warmth. From the Christmas party to Marianela Nunez’s silvery poise as the Sugar Plum Fairy, it’s an evening of good-hearted sparkle.

Created in 1984, this production has had various tweaks over the years, such as beefing up the role of the magician Drosselmeyer, or recent adjustments to make it more Covid-safe. On stage, it feels refreshed: so many details jump out.

Gary Avis’s genial Drosselmeyer whirls around his tiny workshop, wrapping up each toy with tender care. At the party, you can trace the relationships and personalities of the guests, from children creating their own playtime worlds to a housekeeper politely spooked by the magician. Choreographed by Will Tuckett, the new mouse battle scene has toy soldiers shaking their way out of their castle-shaped box, eager to join the fray.

Koen Kessels conducts Tchaikovsky’s radiant score with a proper feeling for magic. The growing Christmas tree has triumphant scale, while the snow scene has a flurry of energy. The corps de ballet whirl through the snowflake patterns, with a frosty clarity to their jumps. Julia Trevelyan Oman’s designs layer delicate period detail and picture-book fantasy. Her Land of Sweets is framed by sugar curlicues, with snow-covered pine trees beyond.

As the young heroine, Clara, Anna Rose O’Sullivan has a touch of mischief, sneaking a taste of the icing on the Christmas cake. But she’s startled into wonder by an angel that only she can see – a promise of the magic journey to come. Her dancing is in the moment, too. Whisked off to the Land of Sweets, joining in with each new divertissement, she shapes her steps with a sense of discovery.

Joseph Sissens is dashing as her Nutcracker prince, with bold, bright storytelling in the mime scenes. There’s a lovely expansive quality to his dancing, with smooth leaps and gorgeous slow turns.

Nunez is an elegant Sugar Plum. The opening posé steps of her solo are crisp and soft as falling snow. She could bring a little more grandeur to the duet, but there’s a gleaming finish to her jumps and turns. Vadim Muntagirov is princely as her partner, with soaring leaps and beautifully cushioned landings. They lead the final dance with radiant cheer, a quality that loops right back to the opening party. Throughout, this Nutcracker feels like a shared and loved experience.