The Nutcracker

Starring:Nutcracker
Studio: Good Times Video
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Better than you'd expect...
Barbie in the Nutcracker
Just ok.
A very nice movie
Surprisingly good

Barbie in The Nutcracker
Starring: Kelly Sheridan , Kirby Morrow , Tim Curry , Peter Kelamis , and Christopher Gaze
Director: Owen Hurley
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Barbie as Rapunzel
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Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses

ASIN: B00005M2BW
Release Date: 2001-10-23

Amazon.com

Look who became a star. Barbie comes to life in this computer-animated Christmas tale that quite naturally takes the longtime favorite doll into a new realm. The plot is a slight variation on the traditional ballet based on Tchaikovsky's music. Instead of being in an open-ended dream, Barbie and her escort, the Nutcracker (soon to be Ken, natch), are on an adventurous quest. Along the way there are more creatures and derring-do than in the original. The sole known voice talent, Tim Curry, has a good old time as the Mouse King, and the animated dancing is gracefully adapted from New York City Ballet choreography. A few clever characters, bright animation, and wonderful music should entrance any Barbie fans ages 3 to 9. The 78-minute feature debuted on video shortly before playing on CBS in 2001. --Doug Thomas

Description

This modern adaptation of the holiday classic casts Barbie in two roles, Clara and the Sugarplum Princess, as she embarks on a musical fantasy adventure for girls of all ages. New York City Ballet's Peter Martins choreographed this wonderful animated film, with music by The London Symphony Orchestra, and featuring the voice of Tim Curry as the Mouse King.

Customer Reviews:

Better than you'd expect..........2007-03-11

We bought this to replace our original which mysteriously (ok, not so mysteriously) was scratched and skipping. The first of the Barbie movies, Nutcracker offers the London Symphony Orchestra playing and computer animated ballerinas dancing to actual pieces from Tchaikovsky's work. The Barbie movie trademark is twisting stories so that Barbie (heroine) uses honor, determination and quick wit to save the day. I think it is a good way to introduce kids to a classical piece. Tim Curry is great comic relief as the Mouse King. My now 5 year old son will watch it with my daughter (though he'd never admit it!)

Barbie in the Nutcracker.......2007-01-25

The graphics and storyline are beautiful, however, for young children (mine are 3 and 7) the graphics are a little too intense for such young children. Especially at the beginning where the Nutcracker does battle with the Mouse King - the Mouse King is really frightening to young children. There are several scenes later that show children in peril that didn't go over to well my own. I bought several copies and gave some to friends with children for Christmas and then felt the need to call and warn them when I had viewed it myself. (They agreed after viewing also...)I would say that a good age to start off with this is at least 2nd or 3rd grade school aged children. Any younger and you might have a crying or nightmare problem.

Just ok........2007-01-09

My daughter got Barbie and the 12 Dancing Princesses for her birthday and LOVES it. So, knowing how much she likes that one, Santa brought her Barbie in the Nutcracker but she wasn't very impressed. There isn't much dancing which is what we wanted and expected. It is cute but not as cute as we hoped... this won't be one she watches over and over like the 12 Dancing Princesses.

A very nice movie.......2007-01-08

This is a nice movie,

GREAT MUSIC

GOOD STORY

EXCELLENT VOICE KELLY SHERIDAN

GREAT BALLET

P.S IF I COULD GIVE THIS MOVIE FOUR AND A HALF STARS I WOULD

P.P.S SOME OTHER GRET BARBIE MOVIES ARE:

SWAN LAKE 4 STARS
RAPUNZEL 5 STARS
THE PRINCESS AND THE PAUPER 5 STARS
THE 12 DANCING PRINCESSES 100 STARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Surprisingly good.......2007-01-06

I was so surprised that this was a good as it was. Once you get past the strange animation, the story was positive and actually entertaining for adults (that have to watch it) and kids.

There have been so many different versions of the Nutcracker out there, but I really like the way that adapted the story for this.

Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Baryshnikov, Kirkland, Charmoli

Average customer rating:

The Nutcracker fighting the mice is the best ballet scene ever.......
The Definitive Nutcracker
MY favorite!
Gelsey, Gelsey, Gelsey!
The Most Magical Nutcracker

Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Baryshnikov, Kirkland, Charmoli
Starring: Mikhail Baryshnikov , Gelsey Kirkland , Alexander Minz , Nanette Glushak , and Gayle Young
Director: Tony Charmoli
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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George Balanchine's The Nutcracker

ASIN: B0002S6428
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Amazon.com

The American Ballet Theater version of the Tchaikovsky classic, a 1977 studio rendition directed by Tony Charmoli, has become a holiday perennial on PBS stations and home video. It's a favorite of parents who want to give their kids the gift of culture--and with good reason. There's a loose fairy tale plot to keep dance neophytes interested, and Boris Aronson's eye-candy production design is a series of lavish dioramas. From an imperial-era Russian Christmas party out of Tolstoy, a young girl named Clara (Gelsey Kirkland) is whisked in dreams to an imaginary world populated by the animated creations of the wizard toy maker Drosselmeier (Alexander Minz), who prances on his stick-thin limbs like a Dickens illustration come to life. The main attraction is, of course, Mikhail Baryshnikov, one of the greatest classical dancers of the century, at his absolute peak of athleticism and precision. An opening slow-motion montage diagrams his fabled smoothness of execution, elegant airborne trajectories that have a feather-light perfection. Music lovers who know only "The Nutcracker Suite" will relish the chance to hear this great score all the way through, conducted with lilt and vigor by Kenneth Schermerhorn. --David Chute

Description

The Nutcracker marked the initial choreographic effort of Baryshnikov, universally hailed as one of the world's greatest dancers. Under Baryshnikov's inventive direction, the traditionally lighthearted story of a small girl's dream on Christmas Eve is transformed into a more complex theatrical experience. Broadcast regularly on PBS, this American Ballet Theatre performance (directed in the studio by Tony Charmoli) stars Gelsey Kirkland as Clara and Mikhail Baryshnikov at the peak of his artistic ability as the Prince/Nutcracker.

Customer Reviews:

The Nutcracker fighting the mice is the best ballet scene ever..............2007-06-30

I have this and the Ballanchine version. The latter is pretty but the dancing not memorable. This one is a joy and wonder to watch. Not only is Baryshnikov superb, several other dancers are almost as good. To watch the Nutcracker (Baryshnikov) battle the mice is thrilling, awesome, and has to be seen to be fully appreciated.
Even my 3 year old granddaughter prefers this one to the more child oriented Ballanchine version.

The Definitive Nutcracker.......2007-04-08

ÿOf all the productions of the Nutcracker ballet that I've seen, this is the definitive one.

As someone who dabbles in cinema photography, I can appreciate the cross- fades between many of the sequences in this production for televiewing. This adds another dimension, that cannot be seen in a public performance. Also, there is a wider choice of good camera locations in the television production of any ballet.

The dancers were all great - in particular Baryshnikov, Kirkland and the court jesters. Although Kirkland was 24 years of age at the time of this production, she was very convincing in the role of the young teen-age Clara. Baryshnikov was equally convincing as the dashing young prince. And last, but not least, the musical score is magnificent. I was particularly amused by the way that Tchaikovsky worked the tune of a French children's song, Cadet Roussel, into the middle of the court jesters' dance.

John Betz, Meaford, Ontario, Canada.

MY favorite!.......2007-03-22

LOve this soo much! This is my favorite tape of my favorite ballet! Excellent condition and love to watch it over and over!

Gelsey, Gelsey, Gelsey!.......2007-01-21

There never was a ballerina like her. I was lucky enough to see her dance many times in NYC in the late 70s. Whether she was dancing with Baryshnikov or with somebody else, she was just so good.

I've seen a lot of Nutcrackers, but no one's Clara comes close to hers.

Oh, yeah, Mischa's pretty good in this video :)

The Most Magical Nutcracker.......2007-01-20

Even though this version deviates from the classic in set and choreography, it is, in my opinion, defintely one of the best. Many imaginative ideas, beautiful colors and excellent dancing make this version really seem magical. Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland are the best in these two roles that I have seen. The set is not as extravagent as the one used by the Royal Ballet at Covent Garden, but the costumes, colors, dancing and great ideas make up for it. I absolutely love this version!

Average customer rating:

It's good but the greatest Nutcracker I've seen was Baryishnikov's ABT
Fun for the kids to watch
For Children
It is true magic
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker

George Balanchine's The Nutcracker
Starring: Darci Kistler , Damian Woetzel , Bart Robinson Cook , Kyra Nichols , and Jessica Lynn Cohen
Director: Emile Ardolino
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Nutcracker
Nutcracker Activity Book (Dover Little Activity Books)

ASIN: 6304698577
Release Date: 1997-11-19

Amazon.com

Tchaikovsky's timeless Yuletide ballet is presented in an all-new movie version with as much eloquence as one would find in a live stage production. Replete with gorgeous costumes and scenery, George Balanchine's production, adapted by Peter Martins, features the New York City Ballet with narration by Kevin Kline. From the moment the Nutcracker prince winds toymaker Drosselmeier's life-sized dolls, viewers are ushered into the captivating story of a little girl's Christmas Eve fantasy of beauty, magic, and sugarplums. While several versions of this beloved tale are available in video, this one is distinguished for the magnificent performances of a large cast of young ballet dancers from the School of American Ballet. While Culkin lends his star-studded name, that is all he lends in what is mostly a wooden performance (he often appears on the sidelines looking quite blasé and detached). More deserving accolades go to Jessica Lynn Cohen as Marie, whose genuineness never wanes and dance steps never falter. Bart Robinson Cook is wonderful as the playful Herr Drosselmeier, and Darci Kistler is the graceful Sugarplum Fairy. Mostly this film belongs to children--both on the stage and in the audience. What is lacking in spontaneous energy of live theater is made up for in a perfectly polished performance. The only thing missing is the well-earned applause. --Lynn Gibson

Description

Angels and sugarplums. Candy canes and ice. A magic prince, a dreamy young girl, a mysterious old man and a Christmas tree that grows sky high. Enter the world of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker, featuring the New York City Ballet, and let this all-new movie version of a timeless Yuletide fantasy, narrated ny Academy Award(R) winner Kevin Kline, draw you under its spell. Starring Macaulay Caulkin, Darci Kistler and Bart Robinson Cook. Year: 1993 Director: Emile Ardolino Starring: Bart Robinson Cook, Macaulay Caulkin, Darci Kistler, Damian Woetzel

Customer Reviews:

It's good but the greatest Nutcracker I've seen was Baryishnikov's ABT.......2007-06-30

Had I not seen the American Ballet Theatre Nutcracker with Baryishnikov dancing and choreographing, I would probably have given this one 4 stars. The Balanchine Nurcracker is pretty: Cute children, exquisite costumes, nice props, artistic scenery. But the ABT version is just marvelous. I've been to dozens and dozens of ballet performances and seen others on TV, but the Baryishnikov Nutcracker is the best ballet performance I've ever seen. The scene where the Nutcracker battles the mice is particularly superb.

Fun for the kids to watch.......2007-04-29

Treat your kids at Christmastime to good music and performance.

For Children.......2007-04-26

This performance might be suitable for children. I was only able to watch the first act. There was no ballet. It was just the children running and jumping around. Even if it is dated, I think the version with Baryshnikov is the best.Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Baryshnikov, Kirkland, Charmoli

It is true magic.......2007-04-25

The story of the Nutcracker Prince is a very enchanting story. The first time i saw this movie i was in the fourth grade, and now that i have it on DVD i can watch it anytime i want to. The movie is really about Clara (Megan Follows) who is given a nutcracker by her Uncle Drosselmier. The nutcracker is really his son Hans (Keifer Southerland), transformed by a bite by the mousequeen. It is a beautiful story and the characters are memorable.

George Balanchine's The Nutcracker.......2007-03-05

A beautiful production made for the camera! Wonderful detail. McCauley Caulkin was "Nutcracker."

Average customer rating:

Not at all what I was expecting!!
My favorite Christmas movie
Pure Magic!
A Wonderful Christmas Tradition
love the theme!

The Nutcracker Prince
Starring: Kiefer Sutherland , Megan Follows , Mike MacDonald , Peter O'Toole , and Phyllis Diller
Director: Paul Schibli
Manufacturer: Good Times Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Nutcracker
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Peter and the Wolf

ASIN: B0002VEP08
Release Date: 2004-11-09

Amaaon.com

This animated version of the Christmas classic is more about combat than dancing, which will make it appealing to boys leery of a female protagonist. When Clara (voiced by Megan Follows) is delighted with his gift of a nutcracker on Christmas Eve, toy maker Drosselmeier is inspired. He tells the tale of how his nephew rescued a princess and was promised her hand when the evil Mouse King turned him into the nutcracker, making him a prince only among dolls. That night, Clara has fitful dreams about the battles between the Nutcracker Prince (Kiefer Sutherland), backed by his legion of toy soldiers (including a commander voiced by Peter O'Toole), and the enormous mouse and his minions. When the prince is finally victorious, he invites her to come to his doll kingdom. A dream-conjured Drosselmeier obligingly shrinks her and she climbs through her dollhouse castle door into a world of flying swans, sugarplums, and ballerinas. This 68-minute movie based on E.T.A. Hoffman's book The Nutcracker and the Mouse King will interest ages 2 through about 10. --Kimberly Heinrichs

Customer Reviews:

Not at all what I was expecting!!.......2006-12-22

I purchased this DVD based on all the positive reviews, however after viewing it, I was extremely disappointed.

I watched this movie with my two-year old son and my four-year old daughter. The movie starts out simple enough w/Clara and Fritz heading home to the party. However, the storyline vears off from the original ballet version when Drosselmyer begins to explain to Clara how his nephew became the Nutcracker. It takes the viewer into a mini-subplot about a king (who is rather rude) and his Queen (whom I assume is supposed to resemble Mother Ginger?). I found this part of the storyline to be annoying and unnecessary. My daughter (who has seen the ballet version of the Nutcracker) kept looking at me confused wondering who these characters were (since they are not part of the ballet version).

Then my two-year old basically jumped into my lap when the Queen Rat's son (very ugly and mean looking) came back to life after it appeared to be dead. I am fully aware of the battle between the mice and the soldiers and expected a certain amount of violence. However, when the camera zooms in closely on what appears to be a dead rat and then the rat jumps up and roars w/it's ugly face, I don't find that appropriate for small children. Talk about causing nightmares!

My daughter was also very disappointed that there was no Land of Sweets (this movie has Land of Dolls) and that the "best part" was missing (performances by foreign countries -- China, Arabia, Russia, etc.).

This movie was a huge disappointment!!!! Not recommended if you're looking for the ballet storyline.

My favorite Christmas movie.......2006-12-07

I had been looking for this movie for years. I used to watch this every year on HBO and couldn't remember the name of it. When I searched for the nutcracker I thought I would never find it but here it is. This is a great version of the nutcracker. I would recommend it as a family holiday tradition movie.

Pure Magic!.......2006-11-28

A film which has surpassed the test of time is the only way I can describe 'The Nutcracker Prince.' A true Christmas classic with stunning animation, a wonderful story and beautiful music and songs. It's also appealing to both genders and people of many ages. It features action for the boys and romance for the girls with everything else in between. The tale of how the Nutcracker 'came to look the way he does' is filled with humour but like the whole film leaves you with a feeling of compassion for the poor nutcracker and as it turns out poor Clara. The film has a perfect balance of both sentimental moments of sadness matched with moments of absolute joy and an ending that will please all.

Moments to watch out for include:
Clara's dance and song with the Nutcracker (my favourite scene in the film), the scene where Marie (the typical teen doll) struts her stuff and sends a mouse catapulting through the air, Marie's entrance into The Land Of The Dolls, Clara and the Nutcracker's ballet dance in The Land Of The Dolls and Clara's final emotional battle against the Mouse King (that's right the girl even gets to fight on her own behalf for once).

Overall the film has many wonderful morals for children of all ages. From lessons of courage and self-sacrifice to accepting ones self and accepting the changes that come with growing up, 'The Nutcracker Prince' is a masterpiece that deserves to be nurtured and appreciated; watched time and time again.

A Wonderful Christmas Tradition.......2006-10-21

I found this movie, the VHS version, when I was in high school...and I still love to watch it every Christmas! It is such a sweet movie, and I love the music. I never knew the words to "The Nutcracker Suite", until this movie.

This movie is entertaining for ALL ages, and it will fast become a wonderful Christmas tradition once you see it. I'm SO glad that they finally have it out on DVD!! Can't wait to get mine!

love the theme!.......2005-12-13

My kids enjoyed this movie - a cartoon.
I enjoyed the music - especially the Theme from the Nutcracker Prince, "Always Come Back To You."
Does ANYONE know where I can find the soundrack, or just that song?
Thanks

Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Maximova, Vasiliev, Bolshoi

Average customer rating:

Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Maximova, Vasiliev, Bolshoi
Starring: Yekaterina Maksimova , Vladimir Vasilyev , Nadiya Pavlova , and Victor Levashov
Director: Yelena Macheret
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00003M5G8
Release Date: 1999-11-30

Amazon.com

Famed Bolshoi duo Yekaterina Maximova and Vladimir Vasiliev star in this production of Tchaikovsky's beloved ballet, The Nutcracker. Maximova dances the role of Maria, the young girl whose mysterious uncle Drosselmeyer (Victor Levashov) gives her a wooden nutcracker (Vasiliev) for Christmas. When he comes to life, she rescues him from marauding mice and is taken to the Kingdom of Sweets for a series of entertaining divertissements from many nationalities.

This production dates from 1987 and the sets and costumes appear to have been in use since well before then. Audio and video quality are rather crude, especially compared to the stunning DVD productions by Patrice Bart and Maurice Bejart. Bart, however, takes liberties with the story line, and Bejart throws it out altogether. Sometimes, all you need is a traditional version of a family holiday favorite, and if you want traditional, it's hard to beat the Bolshoi. --David Horiuchi

Description

Live from the Bolshoi Theatre. This 1978 remake is a truly spellbinding version of this Christmas classic. Tchaikovsky's beloved melodies combine with superb dancing to create pure delight. Starring Yekaterina Maximova, Vladimir Vasiliev, Victor Levashev, and Sergei Radchenko. 105 mins.

Average customer rating:

Care Bears: The Nutcracker
Starring: Care Bears
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000HOJR6C
Release Date: 2006-11-07

Description

Get ready to enjoy your favorite holiday treat, only sweeter. Join the Care Bears as they bring to life the classic tale of the nutcracker, as only these bears can. You'll make friends with Anna, her brother Peter, and even the Nutcracker himself. But when the Evil Vizier threatens, you and your new sugar plum friends must band together to save Toyland. Don't miss this heartwarming confection the whole family will enjoy even more than candy itself.

The Bolshoi Ballet: Romeo and Juliet, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty

Average customer rating:

The Bolshoi Ballet: Romeo and Juliet, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty
Starring: Natalya Bessmertnova , Irek Mukhamedov , Natalya Arkhipova , Nina Semizorova , and Alexei Fadeyechev
Director: Yuri Grigorovich
Manufacturer: Arthaus Musik
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000PA9NX0
Release Date: 2007-06-26

Tchaikovsky - Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker! / Matthew Bourne, Anthony Ward

Average customer rating:

new twist on a classic
THIS IS THE MATHEW BOURNE VIDEO TO BUY!
A Sweet Nutcracker
An Unconventional Nutcracker, Witty, Charming And A Little Naughty
Warning: Parents of Aspiring Claras

Tchaikovsky - Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker! / Matthew Bourne, Anthony Ward
Starring: Richard Winsor , Belinda Lee Chapman , Michela Meazza , Scott Ambler , and Rachel Lancaster
Director: Matthew Bourne
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
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ASIN: B000ARXF5A
Release Date: 2005-09-27

Amazon.com

One of his earliest pieces of choreography, Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker is also one of his most charming and imaginative. Moving the Christmas party from a comfortable middle-class home to a Dickensian orphanage whose proprietors starve their wards to spoil their own children, it then shifts to a wonderland where sweets and sugar are a none-too-subtle metaphor for sexual awakening. In both worlds, Clara (Etta Murfitt) has to struggle to be a heroine, or even a participant, in her own story and her struggle for the muscular, sexy Alan Vincent with her bitchy rival Sugar (Soranne Curtin) is not resolved until the last moments of the ballet.

Along the way, Bourne finds charming and sexy ways to make all of the well-known genre moments of the score fresh and new--the Chinese dancers are a bunch of daffy marshmallow girls in pink, for example, whose dance is all strutting cuteness. There is a truly stunning transformation scene at the beginning of the waltz, which like much else in the score becomes a complex ensemble in which all the character dancers have their own things to do. Bourne's Nutcracker has become a popular favorite, and deservedly so. The Royal Philharmonic eloquently performas the score. --Roz Kaveney

Description

Matthew Bourne's stunning production of Nutcracker! has broken all box office records during its season at Sadler's Wells and subsequent national tour. This delicious production is full of his trademark style wit, pathos and theatrical magic. Nutcracker! follows Clara's journey from a bleak Christmas Eve at Dr. Dross' Orphanage, through a shimmering wonderland to the spectacular candy folk of Sweetieland.

Tchaikovsky's much-loved score and Olivier award winning designer Anthony Ward's stunning sets and costumes with sizzling choreography. Promising a fresh serving of the traditional Christmas far, Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker! is a delightful feast for all of the family. Matthew Bourne has achieved worldwide artistic and popular success with his imaginative new versions of classical ballets such as Swan Lake, Cinderella & The Car Man

Customer Reviews:

new twist on a classic.......2007-06-27

this product gives a new twist to the old classic and it is not bad if you are exspecting ballet it is not to much but some of the costumes are etacky

THIS IS THE MATHEW BOURNE VIDEO TO BUY!.......2007-05-18

STUNNING! Mathew Bourne's choreography for Nutcracker is simply amazing! I'd recommend this video to all dancers, whether they're rolling on the floor modern dancers or pointe-show wearing ballerinas. His living room scene drags a bit, but I've yet to see a Nutcracker with a really good living room scene.

A Sweet Nutcracker.......2006-12-20

I watched Bourne's dance musical, Edward Scissorhand. This Nutcracker remined me of the musical. These two have many similarities-both sweet, lovely, creative. Some serious ballet people may not like this, but I enjoyed it very much.

An Unconventional Nutcracker, Witty, Charming And A Little Naughty.......2005-12-26

There's more hip and tongue action in Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker than Tchaikovsky or Balanchine probably envisaged, but nevertheless the ballet is funny, touching, original and witty. More to the point, it remains charming and innocent while Bourne brings a whole new look and style to the old perennial.

This time there is no sumptuous family Christmas celebration or crowds of cute dancing tykes. We're in a dim, cold orphanage which Dr. Dross (Scott Ambler) and his wife, the matron (Emily Piercy), run with an unsmiling strictness. Their two children, Sugar (Saranne Curtin) and Fritz (Ewan Wardrop) are spoiled, snotty monsters. One of the orphans, Clara (Etta Murfitt), longs to escape. Magically, after a sad little Christmas party, a nutcracker doll (Alan Vincent) comes to life, rescues Clara and punishes Dr. Dross, the Matron and their children. Clara finds herself in an enchanted winterland. Then, with the help of two cupids in striped pajamas, she makes her way to Sweetieland, where everything, including the people, are made of candy. And here Dr. Dross is the smiling King Sherbet, the Matron is the beautiful Queen Candy and their two children have become Princess Sugar and Prince Bonbon. The Nutcracker, to Clara's wondering eyes, has become a handsome young man who looks much like the shy fellow who gazed longingly at Clara in the orphanage. After all the great Tchaikovsky dances, the party in Sweetieland comes to a close, and Clara finds herself back at the orphanage. It hasn't changed. It's as cold and barren as before. But then she sees waiting for her the young man. He ties a sheet to a bed, they toss the end out the window, and escape together.

Most people, I hope, will find themselves able to do two things: First, to greatly enjoy Bourne's take on this ballet; and second, also to treasure the more conventional and superb versions by Balanchine and Baryshnikov.

Bourne not only uses classic ballet, but Broadway, jive, sports and even burlesque. He's also not afraid to be a little scary. When the Nutcracker comes to life at the orphanage he has a frozen face that looks like a cross between Howdy Doody and Chucky. He lurches across the stage. In Sweetieland, however, everything that was unhappy and threatening has been turned to warmth and gaiety. The three helmet-wearing gobstoppers strut around like football stars in the end-zone, swiveling their hips and pumping the air. The licorice Allsorts do a tempestuous Spanish stomp that has Clara looking twice at where their hands land. Since everything is candy in Sweetieland, there's a lot of finger sucking and face licking, which might startle the grownups but would probably make the kids give a delighted "Eeuww." The whole thing is funny and a little naughty, but never so much that anyone other than the most prudish would be offended...certainly not kids.

This is Matthew Bourne in a playful mood. For a darker look, watch his "Swan Lake." Either way, he's an immensely gifted and original choreographer.

Warning: Parents of Aspiring Claras.......2005-12-17

This version, however artistic and well performed, has very little tie to the original Nutcracker! Some highlights:

- No nutcracker, it is a boy doll
- An older and mature Clara
- Eastern bloc inspired costumes (see below)
- A pistol instead of sword fights (including on feigned execution of one of the orphans)
- Non-traditional ballet
- Traditional Score by the Royal Philharmonic (the good part)

The scenery is intentionally dank and grim for most of the production, taking place at a dismal (and clearly abusive) orphanage complete with eastern bloc inspired costumes and sexually suggestive behavior. Of particular note is the giant sparkly mouth (yes, you read it right), blessing the stage during two scenes which characters show reverence to by sticking their fingers in their mouth (at least one takes to licking the mouth itself. Odd, at best).

In sum, this production was not suitable for our four year old aspiring Clara, who was expecting (as were we) bright costumes and sugar plum fairies. The productions claim that is "a delightful feast for all of the family" is, in this writer's opinion, a far stretch.

Bourne's Nutcracker, in a nutshell: Les Miserables meets La Cage aux Folles.

The Nutcracker/ Cojocaru, Dowell, Royal Ballet

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Beautiful and Enchanting Nutcracker
Enchanting Cojocaru, earthbound Yoshida

The Nutcracker/ Cojocaru, Dowell, Royal Ballet
Starring: Anthony Dowell , Alina Cojocaru , Ivan Putrov , Miyako Yoshida , and Jonathan Cope
Director: Roger M. Sherman , and Ross MacGibbon
Manufacturer: BBC / Opus Arte
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005S6KS
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful and Enchanting Nutcracker.......2007-01-20

This is one of my favorite versions of the Nutcracker. Unlike the opinion of the previous reviewer, I was totally enchanted with Miyako Yoshida as the Sugar Plum Fairy. She is my favorite in this role and is simply breathtaking. She gives this role more grace and life than many who have danced this role. The set and costumes are lovely and, in the usual style of the Royal Ballet, the overall performance is superb!

Enchanting Cojocaru, earthbound Yoshida.......2005-12-06

This Royal Ballet production of "The Nutcracker" (staged by Peter Wright) is a mix of the "Balanchine" and "Vainonen" schools of the Nutcracker. The Balanchine version of the Nutcracker emphasizes the child's fantasy -- a land of sweets, with comic relief. The Vainonen Nutcracker emphasizes the romantic dreams of an adolescent. The Russian-influenced Nutcrackers veer towards the Vainonen school, while in the U.S. Balanchine-based Nutcrackers are the norm.
The Royal Ballet attempts to have it both ways. Clara in this case is an adolescent girl, played by an adult ballerina. The storyline is that Herr Drosselmeyer once had a nephew, Hans-Peter, who was transformed into a Nutcracker. It is this Nutcracker who is transformed into Clara's Prince, and the Prince and Clara go off to the Kingdom of the Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy reigns supreme. At the end of the ballet, Drosselmeyer's nephew is transformed back into a boy, and all ends happily.
There is one chief reason to get this ballet: the remarkable Alina Cojocaru. She's now the Royal Ballet's prima ballerina. See her here, and you'll see why her career has been raves and more raves. For such a tiny, girlish-looking ballerina, Cojocaru has a huge stage presence. She seems to float through the air as if pushed by a cloud. She was trained in Kiev and has the Russian imprints: huge, beautiful grand jetes, beautiful arms, highly arched back. Ivan Putrov is her Prince, and he also is excellent. In the second act, Clara (Cojocaru) gets to dance in some of the divertissements, and I was overjoyed, if only to see Cojocaru dance.
Unfortunately, the rest of the cast is not as strong. Miyako Yoshida, the Sugar Plum Fairy, was a sub for Darcey Bussell, and she's not at all well-paired with the very tall Jonathan Cope. Yoshida is the opposite of Cojocaru -- a very earthbound dancer. She's solid, but unremarkable. Her rather square frame is a painful contrast to the ethereal, long-limbed Cojocaru. Anthony Dowell is Herr Drosselmeyer, and he's way too fond of waving his cape around. He seems to think this is character development. It's not.
The production overall is very handsome, although the wigs that the corps have to wear are as usual unattractive. (Are there ever attractive wigs in ballet?) The dvd comes with a bonus of a backstage look at the growing Christmas tree.

Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Nureyev, Park, Royal Ballet

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