Review: NAC Dance's Presentation of Les Grands Ballet Canadiens' THE NUTCRACKER

If there is one thing certain to set the right tone for the festive season in Ottawa, it has to be the National Arts Centre’s annual presentation of The Nutcracker. Each year, the NAC presents a version of The Nutcracker from various ballet companies across the country.

This year, audiences are treated to Fernand Nault’s vision from Montreal-based Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, celebrating its 60th anniversary of delighting children and adults alike. A feast for the senses, Les Grands Ballet’s version is vibrant and playful, while showcasing the dancers’ agility and form.

The Nutcracker’s story follows Clara (Maxime Coulombe) as she is gifted with a nutcracker by her godfather, Doctor Drosselmeyer (James Lyttle), during the family’s Christmas celebration. Later that night, as the household slumbers, the nutcracker is transformed into a handsome prince (Théodore Poubeau). After a battle with the King of the Rats (Oscar Lambert), he and Claria travel to a magical fantasy Land of Snow and into the Kingdom of Sweets. There, Clara and her partner are treated to performances from different nations representing the delicacies that can be found at each destination, including chocolate from Spain, tea from China, and candy canes from Russia. Cotton candy angels float across the stage, flowers perform a waltz, and the Marzipan Shepherd (Théodore Poubeau) calls on his flock to dance animatedly for the prince and Clara. Some comic relief is provided by The King of Candyland (Andrew Giday), a clown-like figure that would be just as at home in a Cirque du Soleil show as they are here. Finally, Clara and her prince – and we – are mesmerized by a grand pas de deux performed by the Sugar Plum Fairy (Aurora De Mori) and her Cavalier (Étienne Delorme). When the evening ends, Clara waves goodbye to her new friends as she heads back to reality.

Dazzling, glittering costumes, scenery replete with falling snow, magical moments, where gifts appear out of nowhere and a Christmas tree grows to impossible heights before your eyes and, of course, a company of talented, graceful dancers of all ages, and the wonderous, classic score by Tchaikovsky performed by the NAC Orchestra, are the perfect ingredients to make this a delectable holiday treat.

The Nutcracker finishes its sold-out run at the National Arts Centre’s Southam Hall on December 8th. Click here for more information. Whether this is an annual tradition for you, or if it is your very first experience seeing The Nutcracker on stage, you will be as enchanted as Clara and just as reluctant to say goodbye at the end of the performance.

* Note that the artists differ by performance. The artist names noted above are those who performed on December 5th.

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