Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker
Organised by: Crescendo & Shiraz ProjectPerformed by: Saint Petersburg National Ballet Theatre
Synopsis:
Act 1
Scene 1
Evening. It is Christmas evening. Large house belonging to Shtalbaum, brightly lit. Among the invited guests there is an inventor and toymaker, children's friend Drosselmeier. It is a sitting room in Shtalbaum's house. Guests are arriving. Drosselmeier comes in and brings presents for children. Everything is ready for the festival. Children run into the room. The game to catch with closed eyes starts. Drosselmeier takes part in it. After the game the dances begin. Then Drosselmeier dressed in magician's costume shows the tribes and presents the dolls performance: The mouse king wants to kidnap the princess, but the valiant Nutcracker saves the princess." Drosselmeier shows mechanical dolls to the children. Best of all dolls, Masha likes the nutcracker. Franz takes nutcracker away from his sister, but there is only the doll's torn head left in his hands. Drosselmeier fixes the Nutcracker quickly. Masha caresses and calms her upset pet. Late, it is time for guests to leave. Masha says good-bye to Nutcracker. The nurse takes Masha to her bedroom.
Scene II
Masha is asleep. She dreams as if the sitting room is full of mice. The Mouse King is their leader. Masha follows him. At the decisive moment of the battle Masha subdues her fear and throws her shoe at the Mouse King. That saves the Nutcracker. The Mouse is defeated. He disappears with his army. Drosselmeier turns Masha and Nutcracker into beautiful boy and girl.
Act II
Scene III
Masha and Nutcracker find themselves on a magic island. The festival starts. Masha and Nutcracker are happy.
EPILOGUE
Masha sleeps. Morning comes soon. The magic dream is over.