For many families, stepping into the world of sugar plums, rat kings, and sparkling snowflakes in the classic ballet The Nutcracker is a Christmas tradition.
For young dancers Ruby Day and Luca Armstrong, it is a dream come true.
“I always wanted to be in the Nutcracker. When I was really little, I auditioned for one of the extra kids in the party scene, which I didn’t actually get the chance to do,” Ms Day said.
“But I’ve had a full circle moment, now I’ve been able to experience the Nutcracker as one of the other characters.”
Mr Armstrong has had the opportunity to perform both as a child both as a child and as the Nutcracker himself.
“One of the first shows I ever did as a kid was the Nutcracker when I was really little at the Australian Ballet School… and it’s great being part of such a great ballet, the music’s just so beautiful,” he said.
The story goes that young Clara is given a magical nutcracker doll from her godfather which comes to life in her dreams on Christmas Eve.
Queensland Ballet’s bright costumes and dreamy sets reflect Clara’s magical night as furniture grows, toys come to life and the magical nutcracker doll becomes a handsome Prince.
Waging a battle against the giant rat king, the Prince whisks Clara away on a wonderous journey through the glittering Land of the Snow and on to the dazzling Kingdom of the Sweets.
For its thirteenth and final season, Ben Stevenson’s production of the nutcracker will play at QPAC from 5 – 13 December.
Next year, the enchanting traditional version will be replaced by a contemporary version by former Principal Dancer of The Royal Ballet Derek Deane.
Dancing Stevenson’s choreography for the final time, the dancers shared their favourite moments of the production about to be retired.
“I love the cooks, because you get to sit onstage for the whole of Act II and watch all of the divertissements [choreography that shows a dancer’s skill] from the back,” Ms Day said.
“My favourite part is probably the party scene, because it’s a lot of fun being out there with your friends, making characters and making stories, it really sets the scene for the start of the party,” Mr Armstrong said.
Buy your tickets for the timeless Christmas story on the QPAC website at qpac.com.au/whats-on/2025/queensland-ballet-the-nutcracker.
