December 11 – 30, 2014
On Christmas Eve, the entire family gathers to celebrate at the home of little Clara. Her godfather, Dr.Drosselmeyer, gives her a beautiful wooden nutcracker, which her brother Fritz breaks in a fit of jealousy. Fortunately, her godfather, who is also a bit of magician, is able to repair it. During the night, after everyone has gone to bed, Clara returns to the parlour to check on her beloved nutcracker. Suddenly, mice and rats invade the room and begin to battle with an army of tin soldiers. Clara is now in danger. Her nutcracker comes to life and flies to her rescue, transforming into a Prince Charming. He leads her to the Land of Snow and then to the Kingdom of Sweets, where she has a magical adventure with the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier.
Created in 1964 for Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal, this adaptation of the Hoffmann tale by Quebec dancer choreographer
Fernand Nault (1920-2006) is among the most beautiful in existence. It is performed by some one hundred dancers, with
sumptuous sets designed by Peter Horne, scintillating costumes by François Barbeau, and lighting by Nicholas Cernovitch. Every year, more than 600 children audition for parts, and some one hundred are chosen for the roles of Mice, Rats, Angels, Reindeer, Sheep, Matriochkas, Orientals, Children at the Party and, of course, Clara and Fritz.
