Theatre and Dance Reviews

Having endured years of my wife saying how great Matthew Bourne was, I really was uncontrollably curious as I entered the Wycombe Swan for a production of Bourne’s Nutcracker!

Being a man, I’m not a massive fan of ballet but I knew that Bourne was renowned for bringing it into the mainstream, which made me hopeful I may enjoy what I was about to see.

As the cast walked onto the stage in their black smocks to applause, and pulled down the stage curtain to reveal the amazing set, I knew I was in for a treat but didn’t know how this would differ from the classic interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s legendary music.

We were transported immediately to an orphanage where all the children are ruled with an iron fist. One night during Christmas, one of the children’s toys comes to life and invites one of them into the world of dreams as she battles for her dream man’s affections.

Accessible

I know, it sounds bonkers, but the previous version of the Nutcracker I saw last year was madness too! What I loved about this version is how accessible and entertaining it is.

Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker music, which I know quite well as we used some for our wedding, is easily some of the greatest and most famous music ever written. And as marshmallow ladies and dolly mixture bikers dance to it, you somehow forget every other version and will associate them with Sweetieland from now onwards.

The second act was my favourite as it had the most famous and arguably best pieces from the great man’s repertoire and the Sweetieland set and outfits were so over the top that you couldn’t help but smile uncontrollably throughout.

Superb

The dance routine on top of the wedding cake was superb, as well the individual performances from the young cast. It’s clear that they are all brilliant ballet dancers but with a Bourne production it’s clearly about moving a story forward and bringing character to the role rather than a perfect spin and jump and land. I made that last bit up! As I say, I know chuff all about ballet!

All I can say is that this was a great piece of theatre, thoroughly entertaining and original and two hours flew by. My wife was right to say how great Matthew Bourne is because he clearly is a little bit of a genius. I just wish she’d stop going on about the lead actor’s very own Nutcracker!