Graeme Murphy's quintessentially Australian Nutcracker makes a long-awaited return to the stage
Nutcracker is one of the best known and most loved ballets of all time. In 1992 Graeme Murphy created a brand-new interpretation that took audiences deeper into the story of Clara. It has gone on to become an Australian classic.
This Nutcracker is set on a sweltering Melbourne Christmas Eve in the late 1950s. Clara is not a child but a frail ex-ballerina, reliving her rich and eventful life in one night of feverish dreams.
Conceived jointly by Murphy and designer Kristian Fredrikson, this ballet unlocks far deeper emotions than a traditional Nutcracker, while retaining the luscious dancing, inimitable score and wonderful sense of escapism that makes it such a favourite of children and adults alike.
Murphy's Nutcracker complements Peter Wright's traditional version, which entered The Australian Ballet's repertoire in 2007. This classical masterpiece is a feast for the senses not to be missed.
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"A new twist on old magic." The Australian
"Pure poetry." Sunday Herald Sun
"A delectable treat for the mind as well as the senses." Sunday Herald Sun
Credits
Nutcracker - The Story of Clara (1992)
Choreography Graeme Murphy
Creative associate Janet Vernon
Concept Graeme Murphy and Kristian Fredrikson
Music Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Set and costume design Kristian Fredrikson
Lighting design John Drummond Montgomery
Film collage Philippe Charluet
SUPPORTED BY THE AUSTRALIAN BALLET ENDOWMENT
Refurbishment made possible by The Kevin Regan Fund
and The James and Diana Ramsay (The Australian Ballet Fund)
Melbourne: performed with Orchestra Victoria
Sydney: performed with The Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra
This performance runs for approximately 135 minutes with one interval
Act One
During a sweltering Christmas Eve in Melbourne in the late 1950s, the ageing Clara S, once a famous Russian Ballerina, struggles home through the scorching heat with her meagre shopping. All she can afford are a few provisions and a tiny Christmas tree which she places on a table. The music of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker from her radio fills her with nostalgia.
Clara's Russian friends make their annual visit to pay homage to the goddess of their youth. Her young doctor arrives with a reel of archival film showing a young Clara as a ballerina with the Russian Imperial Ballet. Delicious memories fill the room and Clara attempts to dance. Her frail body weakens and the doctor, much concerned, requests the guests leave while he keeps vigil.
During a troubled sleep Clara descends into hallucination. She dreams that she encounters herself as a child and once again is terrified by shadows in the night. Then, as the clock strikes midnight on this final Christmas, she witnesses the death of the man she loved and is caught in the destructive chaos of the Russian Revolution.
Refusing to accept the memory of tragedy, Clara compels her dream self to grow young and strong. She rises up and re-unites with her beloved officer. The two lovers re-affirm their eternal passion. Snow falls from the summer sky and the beloved leads her back into childhood and the long-lost snow lands of Russia, where her mother waits to lead her towards her destiny.
Act Two
Clara's childhood finds her striving for perfection at the Imperial Conservatoire. Years of training are rewarded by graduation and acceptance into the ranks of the Imperial Ballet at the Maryinsky Theatre.
She falls deeply in love with a young officer. They enjoy a picnic excursion with friends in the country.
Already famous as a ballerina, Clara is presented to the Tsar and Tsarina at an Imperial Ball. As Prima Ballerina, she makes a triumphant debut as the Sugar Plum Fairy in Nutcracker.
At the height of her joyous existence, the 1917 Revolution breaks out and her beloved must leave for war. His death shatters her world. The dance is her only companion and she leaves forever to join Diaghilev and his Ballets Russes.
Years of touring take her around the world. In China she encounters the exotic rituals of the Orient. In the Middle East she is privileged to witness the secret and languid life of the Harem. Passions are re-ignited by the heated beat of Spanish Flamenco.
In 1940 she arrives in Australia as a glamorous star with the De Basil Ballet Russe. World War rages again and she is forced to remain in this new land. At war's end she dances her farewell performance with the newly-formed Borovansky Ballet.
As an adoring audience applauds, age speedily reclaims her. The hallucinations of a Christmas Eve fade into darkness, but Clara's past and present are complete and her dream is now eternal.
Nightly casting is subject to change without notice
Tuesday 28 April 7.30pm
Conductor: Nicolette Fraillon
Older Clara: Marilyn Jones
Child Clara: Emily Seymour
Younger Clara: Lucinda Dunn
Soldier/Lover: Robert Curran
Prince Partner: Paul Knobloch
Wednesday 29 April 7.30pm
Conductor: Nicolette Fraillon
Older Clara: Ai-Gul Gaisina
Child Clara: Kayla-Maree Tarantollo
Younger Clara: Leanne Stojmenov
Soldier/Lover: Yosvani Ramos
Prince Partner: Marc Cassidy
Thursday 30 April 7.30pm
Conductor: Nicolette Fraillon
Older Clara: Marilyn Jones
Child Clara: Josephine Frick
Younger Clara: Danielle Rowe
Soldier/Lover: Andrew Killian
Prince Partner: Rudy Hawkes
Friday 1 May 7.30pm
Conductor: Nicolette Fraillon
Older Clara: Ai-Gul Gaisina
Child Clara: Kayla-Maree Tarantollo
Younger Clara: Leanne Stojmenov
Soldier/Lover: Yosvani Ramos
Prince Partner: Marc Cassidy
Saturday 2 May 1.30pm
Conductor: Ollivier-Philippe Cuneo
Older Clara: Marilyn Jones
Child Clara: Josephine Frick
Younger Clara: Amber Scott
Soldier/Lover: Adam Bull
Prince Partner: Luke Ingham
Saturday 2 May 7.30pm
Conductor: Nicolette Fraillon
Older Clara: Ai-Gul Gaisina
Child Clara: Emily Seymour
Younger Clara: Lucinda Dunn
Soldier/Lover: Robert Curran
Prince Partner: Paul Knobloch
Monday 4 May 7.30pm
Conductor: Nicolette Fraillon
Older Clara: Ai-Gul Gaisina
Child Clara: Kayla-Maree Tarantollo
Younger Clara: Leanne Stojmenov
Soldier/Lover: Yosvani Ramos
Prince Partner: Marc Cassidy
Tuesday 5 May 7.30pm
Conductor: Nicolette Fraillon
Older Clara: Marilyn Jones
Child Clara: Josephine Frick
Younger Clara: Danielle Rowe
Soldier/Lover: Andrew Killian
Prince Partner: Rudy Hawkes
Wednesday 6 May 1.30pm
Conductor: Ollivier-Philippe Cuneo
Older Clara: Ai-Gul Gaisina
Child Clara: Emily Seymour
Younger Clara: Rachel Rawlins
Soldier/Lover: Kevin Jackson
Prince Partner: Remi Wörtmeyer
Wednesday 6 May 7.30pm
Conductor: Ollivier-Philippe Cuneo
Older Clara: Marilyn Jones
Child Clara: Josephine Frick
Younger Clara: Amber Scott
Soldier/Lover: Adam Bull
Prince Partner: Luke Ingham
Thursday 7 May 7.30pm
Conductor: Nicolette Fraillon
Older Clara: Ai-Gul Gaisina
Child Clara: Kayla-Maree Tarantollo
Younger Clara: Lucinda Dunn
Soldier/Lover: Robert Curran
Prince Partner: Paul Knobloch
Friday 8 May 7.30pm
Conductor: Nicolette Fraillon
Older Clara: Marilyn Jones
Child Clara: Emily Seymour
Younger Clara: Danielle Rowe
Soldier/Lover: Andrew Killian
Prince Partner: Rudy Hawkes
Saturday 9 May 1.30pm
Conductor: Ollivier-Philippe Cuneo
Older Clara: Marilyn Jones
Child Clara: Josephine Frick
Younger Clara: Amber Scott
Soldier/Lover: Adam Bull
Prince Partner: Luke Ingham
Saturday 9 May 7.30pm
Conductor: Ollivier-Philippe Cuneo
Older Clara: Ai-Gul Gaisina
Child Clara: Emily Seymour
Younger Clara: Rachel Rawlins
Soldier/Lover: Kevin Jackson
Prince Partner: Remi Wörtmeyer
Monday 11 May 6.30pm
Conductor: Nicolette Fraillon
Older Clara: Ai-Gul Gaisina
Child Clara: Emily Seymour
Younger Clara: Lucinda Dunn
Soldier/Lover: Robert Curran
Prince Partner: Paul Knobloch
Tuesday 12 May 7.30pm
Conductor: Nicolette Fraillon
Older Clara: Marilyn Jones
Child Clara: Josephine Frick
Younger Clara: Danielle Rowe
Soldier/Lover: Andrew Killian
Prince Partner: Rudy Hawkes
Wednesday 13 May 7.30pm
Conductor: Ollivier-Philippe Cuneo
Older Clara: Ai-Gul Gaisina
Child Clara: Kayla-Maree Tarantollo
Younger Clara: Rachel Rawlins
Soldier/Lover: Kevin Jackson
Prince Partner: Remi Wörtmeyer
Thursday 14 May 7.30pm
Conductor: Ollivier-Philippe Cuneo
Older Clara: Marilyn Jones
Child Clara: Josephine Frick
Younger Clara: Amber Scott
Soldier/Lover: Adam Bull
Prince Partner: Luke Ingham
Friday 15 May 7.30pm
Conductor: Nicolette Fraillon
Older Clara: Ai-Gul Gaisina
Child Clara: Kayla-Maree Tarantollo
Younger Clara: Leanne Stojmenov
Soldier/Lover: Yosvani Ramos
Prince Partner: Marc Cassidy
Saturday Matinee 16 May 1.30pm
Conductor: Ollivier-Philippe Cuneo
Older Clara: Ai-Gul Gaisina
Child Clara: Josephine Frick
Younger Clara: Rachel Rawlins
Soldier/Lover: Kevin Jackson
Prince Partner: Remi Wörtmeyer
Saturday Eve 16 May 7.30pm
Conductor: Nicolette Fraillon
Older Clara: Marilyn Jones
Child Clara: Emily Seymour
Younger Clara: Lucinda Dunn
Soldier/Lover: Robert Curran
Prince Partner: Paul Knobloch
Monday 18 May 6.30pm
Conductor: Nicolette Fraillon
Older Clara: Marilyn Jones
Child Clara: Emily Seymour
Younger Clara: Danielle Rowe
Soldier/Lover: Andrew Killian
Prince Partner: Rudy Hawkes
| Day | Date | Time | Special Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 28 April | 7.30 pm | Bookings closed | |
| Wednesday | 29 April | 7.30 pm | Bookings closed | |
| Thursday | 30 April | 7.30 pm | Bookings closed | |
| Friday | 1 May | 7.30 pm | Bookings closed | |
| Saturday | 2 May | 1.30 pm | Bookings closed | |
| Saturday | 2 May | 7.30 pm | Bookings closed | |
| Monday | 4 May | 7.30 pm | Bookings closed | |
| Tuesday | 5 May | 7.30 pm | Bookings closed | |
| Wednesday | 6 May | 1.30 pm | Bookings closed | |
| Wednesday | 6 May | 7.30 pm | Bookings closed | |
| Thursday | 7 May | 7.30 pm | Bookings closed | |
| Friday | 8 May | 7.30 pm | Bookings closed | |
| Saturday | 9 May | 1.30 pm | Bookings closed | |
| Saturday | 9 May | 7.30 pm | Bookings closed | |
| Monday | 11 May | 6.30 pm | Bookings closed | |
| Tuesday | 12 May | 7.30 pm | Bookings closed | |
| Wednesday | 13 May | 7.30 pm | Bookings closed | |
| Thursday | 14 May | 7.30 pm | Bookings closed | |
| Friday | 15 May | 7.30 pm | Bookings closed | |
| Saturday | 16 May | 1.30 pm | Bookings closed | |
| Saturday | 16 May | 7.30 pm | Bookings closed | |
| Monday | 18 May | 6.30 pm | Bookings closed |
*Seniors discounts only available on subscription tickets
| Premium | A Reserve | B Reserve | C Reserve | D Reserve | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | 155 | 138 | 128 | 116 | 99 | 90 | 78 | 70 | 30 | 28 |
| Pensioner | 128 | 115 | 105 | 94 | 77 | 69 | 61 | 55 | 30 | 28 |
| Seniors * | - | 124 | - | 104 | - | 81 | - | 63 | - | 28 |
| Youth * | 104 | 87 | 56 | 47 | 46 | 39 | 46 | 39 | 30 | 28 |
| Children ** | 90 | 75 | 49 | 40 | 39 | 33 | 39 | 33 | 30 | 28 |
Subscriber discount price for additional single tickets shown in blue.
Concession conditions apply.
* Midweek matinees & 6.30pm only
** All performances excluding opening nights
Opera Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point
Circular Quay
Sydney NSW 2000
Box office phone 02 9250 7777
Open 9am - 8:30pm, Monday to Saturday
Click here for further venue information.
