You know it’s not really Christmas until Clara has thrown her shoe at the Mouse King.
Royal City Youth Ballet is once again bringing its Nutcracker to the stage at Massey Theatre this weekend. The Sunday, Dec. 22 performances (there are shows at 1 and 4 p.m.) finish the company’s annual tour, which has included shows in Abbotsford, Surrey, Duncan and North Vancouver.
The Christmas extravaganza, set to the familiar music of Tchaikovsky, features a cast of more than 70 dancers from around the Lower Mainland, hailing from a dozen different dance schools.
Among them are 21 dancers from New Westminster, ranging in age from eight to 21 – including alumni who have returned for the occasion. Among them are three Grade 12 students who are graduating from Royal City Youth Ballet this year: Lia Sokugawa, Kennedy Gosselin and Gwen Hodges. The three NWSS students have been with the company for more than 10 years – starting their journey in the little mice and buffoon roles, and now finishing up in some of the key solo roles.
“They have absolutely blossomed in their time with us,” said an email from Royal City Youth Ballet.
The production is directed by Camilla Fishwick-Kellogg. Jean-Claude Olivier’s sumptuous sets and Chris Sinosich’s colourful costumes all add to the magic of the holiday favourite.
The ballet company always makes an effort to get its production in front of as many kids as possible; at the end of November, they hosted more than 2,000 schoolchildren at the Massey at a subsidized rate, so kids who might not otherwise get a chance to see the ballet could do so with their friends and classmates.
“The buzz amongst the kids at the end of these shows is amazing,” says the company.
For those who haven’t seen it yet, the production is always a family-friendly affair. Everyone from small children on up will enjoy the familiar holiday story, with its magical soldiers, mice, the Sugar Plum Fairy and a growing Christmas tree – not to mention the Snow King and Queen, the Waltz of the Flowers, the Arabian and Spanish dancers and many more audience favourites.
Tickets are $34 for children, $38 for seniors and $49 for adults, available through www.ticketsnw.ca or 604-521-5050. See www.royalcityyouthballet.org for all the details.
