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In line with Christmas 2024, The Australian Ballet are proud to present yet another production of theirs. This time, they’re bringing Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker to viewers streaming across the globe from 12 December 2024. Though a classic, you’ll witness Peter Wright’s interpretation of the popular Christmas tale, told through dance.

As always, viewers are invited into the orchestra pit (prior to the start of each act) for a much closer look at who’s behind the music, how the musicians and music director coordinate well, playing each instrument, according to their turns and timings. This is one of the things I appreciate – being able to watch it via streaming, compared to when you’re onsite - you might miss the opportunity to get a picture of the orchestra pit.

There’s something majestic about the backdrops used, even when there are different colour combinations involved– they blend well. One particular backdrop that will remain with me for a long time is the blend of blue and red.

The costumes used are hand-sewn, beaded and intricate. You’ll wonder how the seamstress or tailor did such work to ensure every dancer, performer and actor was dressed to not only look elegant but that they can function well, especially when there’s costume changes necessary. During the intermission, you’ll get an inside look pertaining to the costumes as well as insights from the interview with the deputy director of the touring wardrobe, as she will explain certain details on these striking and elaborate costumes.

Oh, yes! Did I mention the rather cute rat costume for the corresponding characters of the Rat King and His comrades? It’s fitting for such a menacing yet humourous character.

The footwork in this production is more pronounced and emphasized, as compared to previous productions like even Swan Lake. The countless times the ballet dancers stood en pointe with a degree of precision – remarkable.

Even more impressive is when there are other dancers, behind the main dancer – the amount of practice it must have taken them to coordinate every leap and dance move is beyond words.

What one of the dancers said is true. Peter Wright has a certain presence whenever he enters the room to direct these dancers – you know you have to move with much precision – and the outcome is an extraordinary show and experience.

Act two is more dreamy – I knew I had to watch it twice to not only follow the story, but also to enjoy and appreciate what is presented on screen – no matter how much fantasy is involved. I always believe – our minds expand and grow whenever we expose ourselves to fantasy – and it’s even more valuable when the fantasy we expose ourselves to are (based upon) treasured classics.

So, to those who missed The Nutcracker when the Russian troupe were in Malaysia to perform and enchant you, this might be your chance to catch a variation of it and have it brought to your home – where you can savour every bit of the popular composition up until 26 December 2024 for a price tag of AUD29, which I trust is slightly more pocket-friendly compared to watching a foreign production onsite on Malaysian grounds.

So, do go ahead and book your tickets to the show. The production began streaming live on 12 December 2024, and is available to audiences around the world to watch on-demand for a period of two weeks.

You don’t want to miss this stunning and extraordinary piece of work.

The production, while also available to watch in cinemas across Australia, is brought to you directly from the Sydney Opera House.