The Nutcracker gets Dutchified: ice skates, St. Nicholas, and zero sugar rush.
Going to see Nutcracker with the whole family has been a tradition in other countries for many years. Now it is a tradition in the Netherlands as well. It became apparent that the Netherlands had also adopted this tradition in 1996, when the Dutch National Ballet presented its own version of the famous fairytale ballet. It is a magical production that has won the hearts of more than 250,000 people to date. Choreographers Toer van Schayk and Wayne Eagling created a Nutcracker for the children and adults of today. It is more dynamic and exciting, and less sweet than usual. They also chose to give a Dutch twist to their interpretation of the story, with skaters on the canals and a living room that transforms into a snowy forest. Unlike the original story, the production by Eagling and Van Schayk (who also designed the delightful sets and costumes) does not take place on Christmas Eve in a German town, but during St. Nicholas celebrations in Amsterdam, around 1810.
Production
Living room-to-snowy-forest transformation is pure theatrical witchcraft.
Costume
Toer van Schayk's designs scream '1810 Amsterdam but make it fashion.'
Direction
Eagling and van Schayk's choreography actually moves—no stuffy posing.
Director
Jeff Tudor
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This 1996 production helped establish The Nutcracker as a Dutch holiday tradition, not just imported American kitsch. St. Nicholas Eve (December 5th) replaces Christmas Eve as the setting.
Choreographer Toer van Schayk also designed sets and costumes—rare total control that explains the visual coherence. His background in Dutch ballet tradition grounded the fantasy in recognizable Amsterdam architecture.
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