Most people are familiar with at least the basic story of The Nutcracker; The Sugar Plum Fairy, the magical world of all things sweet, a girl who befriends a Nutcracker doll that comes to life and the evil Mouse King (or Queen). The story of The Nutcracker itself is based on a much darker fantasy story by E.T.A. Hoffmann and was written in the 1800’s.

Adapted and directed by Theresa Heskins and with music adapted and directed by James Atherton, this New Vic production sees spun-sugar snowflakes, gingerbread elves and magical toys that come to life.

Marie (Franky Attard) is at the centre of the story. She is a great storyteller, enveloping us in her world as we travel from family home on Christmas Eve to the Kingdom of Sweets. The question is: can she help the Nutcracker save the Kingdom or is it all just a dream?

Edwin Cheng is Nutcracker. His mechanical movements as the wooden doll are extremely impressive and he has a warmth that attracts the audience. Kaitlin Howard is the evil Mouserink, the Mouse Queen who commands terror in the true style of a panto villain as she vies to find the Sugar Plum Princess.

The transformation scene involving the growing Christmas tree is beautifully done (set design by Laura Willstead) but the choreography by movement director Beverley Norris-Edmunds appears basic and whilst it’s danced well, it’s very obvious who is dance trained and who is not. The movements needed to be a lot tighter to carry off the attempted picture on stage.

However, it is an intriguing story and a different style of Nutcracker that fits nicely in to the season’s celebrations and one that all ages of the family will enjoy. One little boy in the audience, in particular, was truly enchanted and made his delight known to all. Truly showing us all what the gift of theatre is all about!

A nicely told magical adventure.

*** Three stars

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

The Nutcracker: A Christmas Fairytale plays at the New VicTheatre, Staffordshire until 27 January 2024, with further information here.