With the first notes of Peter Tchaikovsky’s singular score, the magical holiday season begins. The Nutcracker is far more than just a ballet – it is a feast for the senses and a promise of wonder, fantasy, and hope. Within this dream world, viewers of all ages experience how love can crack even the hardest of exteriors.
In 2022, Edward Clug created an enchanting version of this holiday classic for the Stuttgart Ballet. Costumes and stage designs by Jürgen Rose bring E.T.A. Hoffmann's tale The Nutcracker and the Mouse King to life. Clug’s version places the walnut in the forefront; whether whole or cracked, ordinary or colossal, they offer room for endless imagination.
The Nutcracker is Clara's most beloved Christmas gift. At her family’s party on Christmas eve, her godfather Drosselmeier tells the story of the evil Mouse King who turned his nephew into a Nutcracker. Clara battles the Mouse King and embarks on a journey to free Drosselmeier’s nephew. Just like her imagination, where toys come to life, anything is possible. This ballet’s colourful world blurs the boundaries between fantasy and reality.
In 2022, Edward Clug created an enchanting version of this holiday classic for the Stuttgart Ballet. Costumes and stage designs by Jürgen Rose bring E.T.A. Hoffmann's tale The Nutcracker and the Mouse King to life. Clug’s version places the walnut in the forefront; whether whole or cracked, ordinary or colossal, they offer room for endless imagination.
The Nutcracker is Clara's most beloved Christmas gift. At her family’s party on Christmas eve, her godfather Drosselmeier tells the story of the evil Mouse King who turned his nephew into a Nutcracker. Clara battles the Mouse King and embarks on a journey to free Drosselmeier’s nephew. Just like her imagination, where toys come to life, anything is possible. This ballet’s colourful world blurs the boundaries between fantasy and reality.
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.
