The Nutcracker

The Royal Ballet
15 December 2008 to 10 January 2009
Main Auditorium

The Guardian said in December 2006, this is a production that resembles the ideal Christmas decoration: ‘dusted off every year, yet always more fabulous than you remembered.’


The Nutcracker
　
Composer: Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Choreographer: Peter Wright after Ivanov
First ROH Performance: 20 December 1984 (Wright after Ivanov)
First performance: 18 December 1892 (Ivanov) at the Mariinsky Theatre
Original scenario: Marius Petipa after E.T.A. Hoffmann's Nussknacker und Mausekönig

The Story
　
Drosselmeyer is a magician and creator of mechanical toys and clocks. He was employed in a royal palace where he invented a trap that killed off half the mouse population. In revenge the wicked Queen of the Mice cast a spell over Drosselmeyer's nephew, Hans-Peter. She transformed him into an ugly Nutcracker Doll.
　
The only way to break the spell is for the Nutcracker to slay the Mouse King, thereby committing an act of great bravery, and for a girl to love him in spite of his awful appearance.
　
Drosselmeyer is invited to entertain the guests at his friends’, the Stahlbaums, Christmas party. The Stahlbaums have a daughter, Clara, who is a little younger than Hans-Peter. It occurs to Drosselmeyer that she may be the one to break the spell.
　
Drosselmeyer decides to give the Nutcracker to Clara and makes a special Christmas Angel to guide her. When all the guests have departed and the house is asleep, Clara creeps downstairs and discovers Drosselmeyer waiting for her. He draws her into his own special world of fantasy where time is suspended. Drosselmeyer exerts all his powers to transform the living room into a great battlefield and summons the Mouse King.
　
A battle rages between mice and toy soldiers. Clara helps the Nutchracker, when out of compassion, she saves his life. The Nutcracker then slays the Mouse King. Transformed into his real self, Hans-Peter dances with Clara. They find themselves in the Land of Snow.
　
Drosselmeyer then sends them on a magic journey to the Sugar Garden in the Kingdom of Sweets. They meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince. Freed at last from his imprisonment inside the Nutcracker, Hans-Peter recounts to the Sugar Plum Fairy his great adventure and how Clara saved his life. They then join in a magnificent entertainment put on by Drosselmeyer to honour them for their bravery.
　
Returning to reality, Clara runs out into the street in search of Drosselmeyer and encounters a familiar young man. Back in his workshop Drosselmeyer prays that his efforts will be rewarded. His nephew returns; the spell is broken.

(Taken from a synopsis by Peter Wright)

　

　

　
　
Wish You All a Very Happy Holiday! Y

　

　

　

　

Olympic Heritage

The Olympic Games and the UK

In 2012 London will host a Games like never before, drawing on the country’s proud Olympic heritage.

London hosted the Olympic Games in 1908 and 1948.

Each time, we left our mark on the Olympic movement with our innovative approach:

1908

In 1908, London stood as Host City in for Rome after an eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

New in 1908:

• The Olympic Stadium (White City) was built especially for the Olympic Games.


• Athletes paraded under their national flags at a ceremony at the start of the Games.


• The Marathon was fixed at 42.195km (26.2 miles) – the distance from Windsor Castle to the Royal Box in the Olympic Stadium. This became the official distance from the 1924 Games onwards.

1948

In 1948, London again stepped in at the last minute to host the first Games after World War II.

New in 1948:

• Games shown on home television.


• Starting blocks for Sprint races.


• Volunteer Programme created to help run the Games.

Tickets for Vancouver 2010 Winter Games go on sale

Tickets for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games have gone on sale in Host Country Canada and around the world.

The Olympic Games take place in Vancouver and Whistler from 12-28 February 2010.

Tickets are on sale for the 16 Olympic sports, including Figure Skating, Cross-Country Skiing and Snowboard. They are available through National Olympic Committees and official ticket agents in each country.

Find out more on the Vancouver 2010 website, which offers a special section with advice for international visitors.

John Furlong, VANOC Chief Executive Officer, said: 'Visiting Canada and attending the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games promises to be the experience of a lifetime that people will remember for generations.'Canadians can’t wait to welcome the world with glowing hearts and invite everyone to join us in what is sure to be a spectacular celebration of culture, winter sport and incredible athletic achievement.'

This is the first phase of ticket sales, running until 7 November.

The Paralympic Winter Games take place from 12 – 21 March 2010. Tickets go on sale in May 2009.