A Christmas Classic

James Kudelka's Nutcracker challenges the National Ballet

If you were asked to name an official author for the Christmas season, you'd probably have to say Charles Dickens, whose A Christmas Carol is the most adapted tale in stage productions, movie theatres and television shows every December. And if you were asked to name an official composer, it would have to be Piotr Ilich Tchaikovsky, whose Nutcracker serves as the background music for practically every department store Santa and Christmas TV commercial.
However, if you want to experience the beloved ballet as it was meant to be performed, in a rich and sumptuous production with lavish costumes, full orchestration and inspired choreography, Torontonians have but to turn up at the Hummingbird Centre for the National Ballet's reprise of James Kudelka's full-blown staging.
The Nutcracker is the most accessible ballet for newcomers to the dance world. All the music is familiar; the story is simple and enchanting even for youngsters, and most productions add a few surprises to make the experience even more welcoming to children and people who aren't used to ballet. For instance, 45 minutes before every single performance, ticket holders can participate in a lively storytelling performance of the ballet in the lower lounge of the theatre. Also, in the time-honoured tradition of inviting local celebrities from outside the dance world to make cameo appearances in the ballet, Ontario Finance Minister Greg Sorbara will appear as a Cannon Doll at the opening matinee.
For those who enjoy sheer spectacle, "It's a very, very opulent production; I think it is one of the best, one of the most opulent, in the world," says National Ballet Principal Dancer Aleksandar Antonijevic, who has seen and danced in a number of other versions.
Antonijevic is reprising the lead role of Peter/Nutcracker four times over the production's rather long run. Four other dancers will also play the role, including the exuberant young Guillaume Côté. Perhaps ironically, Antonijevic points out, the easiest production for audiences is actually one of the most demanding for the company.
"It is a difficult ballet, even though people come and enjoy it and have fun with it," he says. "The role of Peter is very challenging; I am actually onstage throughout the whole ballet, which is very unusual. It is not easy for us to come back and do it every year when it's the festive season and everyone wants to have good food or good drink," he adds.
"Kudelka's choreography is very intricate, very physically demanding, very technically challenging. Especially, I have to say how hard the corps du ballet works. It is really filled with choreography to the brim, so you will see people at times struggling almost to do it," Antonijevic says.
However, this complexity is what makes Kudelka's work so satisfying. "It's almost as if you're watching a Disney movie, it is so filled, and people come back over and over and see new things to watch."

The National Ballet of Canada presents The Nutcracker from December 13 to 30 at the Hummingbird Centre. For tickets and information, call 416.345.9595.

Publication Date: 2003-12-14
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=3464