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A festive delight, this is a relocated, interactive pantomime-style retelling of the classic tale. Through live musical performance and imaginative design, it charmingly entertains, sparking laughter across generations.Summary
Rating
Good
Marketed as a “Magical, Musical Quest”, The Nutcracker is an energetic reimagined version of the original novella The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, relocated to current day Wimbledon where the audience are enthusiastic mice and the jokes are cheesy. Geddit?!
A band of five mice playing a variety of live instruments serenade the audience as they enter the auditorium, belting out classic Christmas tunes such as “Last Christmas, I gave you my cheese … “ before moving on to other repurposed classics from Slade and The Pogues. The audience is reminded that this is very much a relaxed performance and everyone is free to come and go as they please.
The production is driven by the outstanding narrator (Clare Beresford) who sings with power and feeling. Interacting and improvising with the audience throughout, she brings coherence and direction to the plot, which – whilst inspired by the original tale – can feel a little meandering in the first half. The action proper begins as Clara (Lakeisha Lynch-Stevens) and her younger brother Fritz (Dominic Conway) move into a dilapidated house on the eve of Christmas, along with their recently widowed father, played by Shamira Turner. Their eccentric Aunty Drosselmeyer (Caroline Partridge) helpfully turns up unexpectedly and gifts them a “shared” present of a Nutcracker doll. Incorporating modern day moral themes of sibling conflict and grief, the story follows the children as they endeavour to overcome a number of personal challenges to support each other whilst fighting the evil Mouse King.
Sam Wilde’s set is a revelation. Apparently nothing more than a series of cardboard boxes, these are endlessly repurposed to represent a Christmas tree, a car and much more using effective lighting and clever choreography. Age appropriate, they successfully ignite the imagination of the audience, whose attention is held throughout. Shadow puppetry is a delight and the actors often move up the side aisles as all spectators turn to follow them. A rather beautiful Clara doll puppet makes an appearance and props such as a large cheese and giant mouse trap serve to remind the watchers of when the children are life-sized and when they are mouse-sized. Seemingly simple lighting strung across the ceiling provides atmospheric change through colour variation and at one point quite unnervingly simulates mouse eyes peering out of the dark. The live music (overseen by Beresford and Conway as Co-Musical Directors) is well delivered and designed to appeal to the adult members of the audience as well as the younger ones.
The increasing use of audience participation in the second half follows the design of a pantomime whilst the modern twist of a festive story ensures a plot trajectory.
The success of this piece is achieved by its ability to resonate with every segment of the audience. Many of the actors play different roles, and it is fair to say that some are more accomplished than others, but the audience are thoroughly engaged throughout, regardless of age. The humour is spot on: puerile enough to appeal to children (a giant poo being sliced in half by the Sword of Justice for example!) but with enough nostalgic comic references to prompt unexpected shouts of genuine laughter from the adults.
It’s easy to gauge the success of a piece for 5 – 12 year olds because they tell you. This audience were committed and enthralled throughout, keen to be involved and doubled over with laughter.
Written & Devised by: Clare Beresford, Dominic Conway, Lakeisha Lynch-Stevens, Caroline Partridge, Alexander Scott, Edith Tankus and Shamira Turner
Directed by: Alex Scott of Little Bulb
Produced by: Emily Davis of Little Bulb
Co-Musical Directors: Clare Beresford & Dominic Conway
Lighting Design by: Joshua Pharo
Set Design by: Sam Wilde
The Nutcracker plays at Polka Theatre until 26th January 2025. Further information and booking are available here.
