The Nutcracker is among the most popular ballets in the classical repertoire – the opening tones of the overture alone awaken anticipation for the holidays. In 2022, Edward Clug created his enchanting version for the Stuttgart Ballet. With costumes and stage designs by Jürgen Rose, this “fantastical” ballet brings E.T.A. Hoffmann's tale The Nutcracker and the Mouse King to life. Clug’s version is a fairytale where nuts are the focus. Whether whole or cracked, small or gigantic, nuts offer room for endless fantasy. Along with toys of all kinds come to life, such as proud toreodores, harlequins climbing ladders, and choosy camels, this colorful world blurs the boundaries between fantasy and reality.
As in E.T.A. Hoffmann's story, the Nutcracker is Clara's most beloved Christmas gift. Despite its wooden exterior, she falls in love with her toy. Her godfather Drosselmeier tells her the story of the evil Mouse King who turns his nephew into a nutcracker. The story incites Clara's imagination: she embarks on a battle against the Mouse King, supported by her toys, on a journey to free Drosselmeier’s nephew. Join Clara in her land of imagination to discover all that lies beneath the hard shell of a nut.
As in E.T.A. Hoffmann's story, the Nutcracker is Clara's most beloved Christmas gift. Despite its wooden exterior, she falls in love with her toy. Her godfather Drosselmeier tells her the story of the evil Mouse King who turns his nephew into a nutcracker. The story incites Clara's imagination: she embarks on a battle against the Mouse King, supported by her toys, on a journey to free Drosselmeier’s nephew. Join Clara in her land of imagination to discover all that lies beneath the hard shell of a nut.
Synopsis
Act I
Christmas Eve
In the town square the Christmas market is in full swing. At the house of the Stahlbaum family, Clara, her parents and her brother Fritz decorate the Christmas tree. The guests - as well as Clara and Fritz’s godfather Drosselmeyer - arrive. Drosselmeyer tells the children the story of his nephew who has been turned into a Nutcracker by the evil Mouse King and is now trapped inside the hard, wooden shell. Drosselmeyer presents Clara with her Christmas present: a Nutcracker. Clara’s friends play with her many toys. The party guests depart and Clara goes to bed.
Suddenly, the evil Mouse King and his army of mice appear. Clara is afraid but the Nutcracker comes to her rescue. Fritz’ toy soldiers come to fight with the Nutcracker against the mice. Clara also calls her toys to help the Nutcracker.
Seeing that the Nutcracker has been wounded, Clara hits the Mouse King on the head and defeats him.
Clara helps the wounded Nutcracker. He is ashamed of his ugly appearance but Clara loves him nonetheless. Suddenly two deer appear. They are followed by fairies of the forest and the Queen of the Forest.
In the town square the Christmas market is in full swing. At the house of the Stahlbaum family, Clara, her parents and her brother Fritz decorate the Christmas tree. The guests - as well as Clara and Fritz’s godfather Drosselmeyer - arrive. Drosselmeyer tells the children the story of his nephew who has been turned into a Nutcracker by the evil Mouse King and is now trapped inside the hard, wooden shell. Drosselmeyer presents Clara with her Christmas present: a Nutcracker. Clara’s friends play with her many toys. The party guests depart and Clara goes to bed.
Suddenly, the evil Mouse King and his army of mice appear. Clara is afraid but the Nutcracker comes to her rescue. Fritz’ toy soldiers come to fight with the Nutcracker against the mice. Clara also calls her toys to help the Nutcracker.
Seeing that the Nutcracker has been wounded, Clara hits the Mouse King on the head and defeats him.
Clara helps the wounded Nutcracker. He is ashamed of his ugly appearance but Clara loves him nonetheless. Suddenly two deer appear. They are followed by fairies of the forest and the Queen of the Forest.
Act II
The Journey
The Nutcracker has disappeared. Clara and Drosselmeyer set out to search for him. Beetles and butterflies guide them on their way. Clara encounters her parents and grandparents as well as Fritz and his friends. Clara meets all her toys and asks them if they know where the Nutcracker is but no one has seen him. Clara has a vison of him and, in her heart, recognizes his true being. Her toys dance for and with her. Finally, she finds Drosselmeyer’s nephew. Her love for him has released him from the spell of the Mouse King. Clara is united with him.
The Nutcracker has disappeared. Clara and Drosselmeyer set out to search for him. Beetles and butterflies guide them on their way. Clara encounters her parents and grandparents as well as Fritz and his friends. Clara meets all her toys and asks them if they know where the Nutcracker is but no one has seen him. Clara has a vison of him and, in her heart, recognizes his true being. Her toys dance for and with her. Finally, she finds Drosselmeyer’s nephew. Her love for him has released him from the spell of the Mouse King. Clara is united with him.
