The Nutcracker is famous for Tchaikovsky’s music. The genius of Tchaikovsky created one of the most recognisable and enduring music scores ever written.

The illustrious cast of the Imperial Russian Ballet Company enjoy performing The Nutcracker more than any other ballet from their extensive repertoire, especially when they are joined by children from local ballet schools in the cities that they perform in around the world.

The Imperial Russian Ballet Company was formed in 1994 by the Bolshoi Theatre soloist, Gediminas Taranda.

The Imperial Russian Ballet Company combines the unity and integrity of the great Russian Ballet Schools where traditions are passed on from one generation to another. The founders of the company acknowledge and respect the Russian Imperial dynasty which has made such a contribution to the development of the arts and in establishing the system of Imperial theatres including the Bolshoi and the Marinski theatres.

The prime choreographic style adopted by the Company is a classical one, however they also indulge in modern dance. Their stage repertoire is based on the combination of classical masterpieces and modern choreographic novelties.

The Imperial Russian Ballet Company has been touring world-wide since 1994. They have staged classic masterpieces in the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall and the Mossovet Theatre. The home venue for the troupe when they perform in Moscow is now the Kolobov Novaya Opera Theatre.

The Story of The Nutcracker - Act I

The scene is set in an old German town at the beginning of the last century. It is Christmas Eve and the streets are boisterous and festive. At the home of Stahlbaum, a Christmas Eve party is planned. Among the guests invited is an older gentleman, a toymaker called Drosselmeyer.

The drawing room in Stahlbaum’s house is splendidly decorated. All the guests have gathered together to join in the festivities. Drosselmeyer arrives bearing gifts for the children. The festive games begin and the children begin to play blind man’s bluff. Drosselmeyer participates and the children blindfold him.

After the game finishes everyone begins to dance. Drosselmeyer plays magician and shows his tricks. He organises a puppet-show called ‘King of Mice’: The King of Mice attempts to steal a princess but a courageous nutcracker kills him and saves the princess.

Drosselmeyer shows the children many of the different and interesting toys that he has created. Stahlbaum’s daughter Clara likes the Nutcracker the best. Clara’s brother Fritz takes the nutcracker away and breaks it by accident. Clara caresses and calms her favourite toy. The evening finishes with dancing. The clock strikes 10pm which marks the departing of the guests from the hospitable home of Stahlbaum. Clara says good bye to the nutcracker and the lights on the Christmas tree go out leaving it illuminated only by the light of the moon. There is a feeling of magic and mystery in the air. Overcoming her fear Clara comes in to look at her broken nutcracker. She embraces him and falls asleep.

In her dreams the room fills with mice. Their leader is the King of mice. Without hesitation the brave Nutcracker commands the tinware soldiers to commence battle against the mice. The superior forces of the mice threaten to overcome the nutcracker and the soldiers. Before long, the Nutcracker is left alone with the King of Mice and his army. Overcoming fear Clara throws her shoe at the King of Mice and this saves the Nutcracker. One brave tinware soldier returns to kill the King of the Mice. The mice surrender and leave the battlefield.

Drosselmeyer appears and turns the nutcracker into a handsome prince! Walls disappear and light snowflakes dance in a beautiful ring. The Nutcracker Prince takes Clara to a magical Kingdom where they take a boat on a voyage of dreams.

The Story of The Nutcracker - Act 2

Clara and the Prince travel the magic Kingdom. In their romantic winterland they meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and small angels and toy friends. As they re-enact the night’s events, the Sugar Plum Fairy is impressed with Clara’s bravery and The Nutcracker’s heroism. She invites them inside the Candy Castle and throws a lavish festival in their honour. They are treated like royalty and presented with every imaginable sweet.

Shortly thereafter, the dancing begins.

The celebration of dances includes:
Waltz of the Flowers
The Spanish Dance
The Chinese Dance
The Russian Dance
The Arabian Dance.

Clara and the Prince are very happy – they have found their paradise!

Drosselmeyer suddenly appears. He picks up the Nutcracker...

Is it only a toy? Was it only a dream..?

With a flourish of his magic wand Drosselmeyer turns the dream into reality and Clara and her Prince live happily ever after.

Gediminas Taranda – Artistic Director

For thirteen years, Gediminas was a star of the Bolshoi Theatre performing in many ballets including Golden Age, Giselle, Ivan the Terrible, The Stone Flowers and Spartacus.

In his role as Artistic Director for the Imperial Russian Ballet Company he is a teacher, ballet master, choreographer and drama actor. His list of achievements include the following:

Honoured artist of Russia
Founder and Artistic Director of the Imperial Russian Ballet Company
1980 – 1994 – First dancer of Bolshoi Theatre of Russia.
Founder of various ballet festivals in Lithuania, Croatia and Moscow
Dancing Master for the Russian Olympic movement, including twice Olympic games (Summer Olympics in Greece 2004 and Winter Olympics in Turin 2006)
Active participant in AAD (Art against Drugs) in association with “The Russian fund of Culture”

The Imperial Russian Ballet Company cast will travel from Moscow to Australia and will comprise of 45 elite dancers, wardrobe, make-up and production personnel. They will be joined onstage by approximately 40 children from the major ballet schools in each area. A Russian teacher will travel from Moscow to each location to provide specialised tuition six weeks prior to the performances. Children selected will attend a master class on the afternoon of each performance, dine with the Imperial Russian Ballet Company cast and perform onstage with them.