Review: Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker at Wales Millennium Centre
With family-sized helpings of Bourne’s trademark wit, pathos and magical fantasy, Nutcracker! follows Clara’s bittersweet journey from a darkly comic Christmas Eve at Dr. Dross’ Orphanage, through a shimmering, ice-skating winter wonderland to the scrumptious candy kingdom of Sweetieland, influenced by the lavish Hollywood musicals of the 1930s. Our review Ever since seeing our first Matthew Bourne extravaganza at the
Published by John Davies on 22 March 2022
Review: Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker at Wales Millennium Centre
With family-sized helpings of Bourne’s trademark wit, pathos and magical fantasy, Nutcracker! follows Clara’s bittersweet journey from a darkly comic Christmas Eve at Dr. Dross’ Orphanage, through a shimmering, ice-skating winter wonderland to the scrumptious candy kingdom of Sweetieland, influenced by the lavish Hollywood musicals of the 1930s.
NUTCRACKER by Bourne, , Director and Choreographer – Matthew Bourne, Designer – Anthony Ward, Lighting – Howard Harrison, Projection – Duncan McLean, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 2021, Credit: Johan Persson/NUTCRACKER by Bourne, , Director and Choreographer – Matthew Bourne, Designer – Anthony Ward, Lighting – Howard Harrison, Projection – Duncan McLean, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 2021, Credit: Johan Persson/NUTCRACKER by Bourne, , Director and Choreographer – Matthew Bourne, Designer – Anthony Ward, Lighting – Howard Harrison, Projection – Duncan McLean, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 2021, Credit: Johan Persson/NUTCRACKER by Bourne, , Director and Choreographer – Matthew Bourne, Designer – Anthony Ward, Lighting – Howard Harrison, Projection – Duncan McLean, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 2021, Credit: Johan Persson/NUTCRACKER by Bourne, , Director and Choreographer – Matthew Bourne, Designer – Anthony Ward, Lighting – Howard Harrison, Projection – Duncan McLean, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 2021, Credit: Johan Persson/NUTCRACKER by Bourne, , Director and Choreographer – Matthew Bourne, Designer – Anthony Ward, Lighting – Howard Harrison, Projection – Duncan McLean, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 2021, Credit: Johan Persson/NUTCRACKER by Bourne, , Director and Choreographer – Matthew Bourne, Designer – Anthony Ward, Lighting – Howard Harrison, Projection – Duncan McLean, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 2021, Credit: Johan Persson/NUTCRACKER by Bourne, , Director and Choreographer – Matthew Bourne, Designer – Anthony Ward, Lighting – Howard Harrison, Projection – Duncan McLean, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 2021, Credit: Johan Persson/NUTCRACKER by Bourne, , Director and Choreographer – Matthew Bourne, Designer – Anthony Ward, Lighting – Howard Harrison, Projection – Duncan McLean, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 2021, Credit: Johan Persson/NUTCRACKER by Bourne, , Director and Choreographer – Matthew Bourne, Designer – Anthony Ward, Lighting – Howard Harrison, Projection – Duncan McLean, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 2021, Credit: Johan Persson/NUTCRACKER by Bourne, , Director and Choreographer – Matthew Bourne, Designer – Anthony Ward, Lighting – Howard Harrison, Projection – Duncan McLean, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 2021, Credit: Johan Persson/NUTCRACKER by Bourne, , Director and Choreographer – Matthew Bourne, Designer – Anthony Ward, Lighting – Howard Harrison, Projection – Duncan McLean, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 2021, Credit: Johan Persson/NUTCRACKER by Bourne, , Director and Choreographer – Matthew Bourne, Designer – Anthony Ward, Lighting – Howard Harrison, Projection – Duncan McLean, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 2021, Credit: Johan Persson/NUTCRACKER by Bourne, , Director and Choreographer – Matthew Bourne, Designer – Anthony Ward, Lighting – Howard Harrison, Projection – Duncan McLean, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 2021, Credit: Johan Persson/
Our review
Ever since seeing our first Matthew Bourne extravaganza at the Wales Millennium Centre – Sleeping Beauty, w-aaa-y back in 2016 – we’ve always been fans of Matthew Bourne’s re-imaginings of the traditional stories and ballets. What Bourne also succeeds in doing is revolutionising a traditional art form and bringing it to a wider and younger audience.
Harrison Dowzell and Katrina Lyndon as our leads the Nutcracker and Clara were absolutely spectacular together, with stunning duet dances, as they bring us the story of the wonderful things that might happen overnight in Clara’s imagination. The party comes to life with lots of dancing and as the excitement builds, Sweetieland is brought to fantastic, colourful life.
Anthony Ward’s delectable sets and costumes combine with Bourne’s dazzling choreography to create a fresh and charmingly irreverent interpretation of the classic. Expect a sprinkling of delicious new surprises in this reinvented production.
This is very easily a whole-family show, with something for everyone. Think kitsch, sticky and sweet, with sexy and cheeky undertones to bring laughter and enjoyment. Keeping the sweetie theme, this promises ballet, traditional dance, humour, excellent staging, costumes and set – a true pick’n’mix show keeping everyone engaged and full of energy.
