Tchaikovsky's immortal Nutcracker is in Leeds once more for a two-week pre-Christmas season.
Of course, it is the great Russian composer's glorious music which has kept the work to the forefront of world classical ballet, but Northern Ballet's imaginative production has some telling touches of their own.
Act One is a Christmas party given by Mr and Mrs Edwards for their household and a wonderfully fresh and natural lot they are, gently watched over by Hannah Bateman's mother to the mild irritation of some of her offspring.
The whole bustling host led by Pippa Moore and Jeremy Curnier fill the stage in a riot of feather-light dancing and colour.
Act Two is what they dream about when bedtime calls, a succession of superb numbers for Spanish, Arabian, Chinese, French and Russian dancers capped by the Valse des Fleurs, the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Grand Pas de Deux by Martha Leebolt and Javier Torres. Christmas is here again!
* Until December 12. Phone 0844 848 2705.
John Pettit
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