Sugar plums and sword fights—this ballet hits harder than your holiday meltdown.
Join Clara at a delightful Christmas Eve party that becomes a magical adventure once everyone else is tucked up in bed. Marvel at the brilliance of Tchaikovsky’s score, as Clara and her enchanted Nutcracker fight the Mouse King and visit the Sugar Plum Fairy in the glittering Kingdom of Sweets. Peter Wright’s much-loved production for The Royal Ballet, with gorgeous period designs by Julia Trevelyan Oman, keeps true to the spirit of this festive ballet classic, combining the thrill of the fairy tale with spectacular dancing.
Production
Julia Trevelyan Oman's 1984 designs still dripping in Victorian luxury.
Acting
Fumi Kaneko's Sugar Plum Fairy: precision with actual soul.
Score
Tchaikovsky weaponized Christmas—every cue is iconic.
Director
Peter Jones
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Peter Wright's 1984 production is essentially the global standard now—most major companies license elements from this staging.
The 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy' was Tchaikovsky's first use of the celesta—that ethereal, music-box sound you can't unhear.
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