At last! Mr. Drosselmeier hands out his presents, all enchanting. His masterpiece goes to Clara - a beautifully hand-crafted Nutcracker. During Christmas dinner, Clara slips away to admire her Nutcracker and imagines that he comes alive to dance with her. The doorbell rings and a bear scurries in, admires the tree and dances happily with the Christmas toys. The party breaks up in a flurry of dancing and silliness and romance. “Good night Everyone and A Very Merry Christmas!

Clara in purple party dress.

Madeleine Eastoe of The Australian Ballet, as Clara, in The Nutcracker (2007). The lead roles managed well and lived up to their parts. Madeleine Eastoe as Clara was all bright eyed wonder, light and...

Anna Rose O’Sullivan as Clara in Peter Wright's The Nutcracker, The Royal Ballet Season 2018/19. www.roh.org.uk/productions/the-nutcracker-by-peter-wright