When the first notes of Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s incomparable music ring out, the magic of the Christmas season begins. It is a piece that not only evokes the spirit of Christmas but also captures the essence of its message. The Nutcracker is far more than a ballet—it is a feast for the senses and a promise of wonder, imagination, and hope. It transports young and old alike into a world where dreams come to life and love breaks through even the hardest shell.
In 2022, Edward Clug created his enchanting version for the Stuttgart Ballet. With costumes and set design by Jürgen Rose, this “fantastic” ballet brings E.T.A. Hoffmann’s tale The Nutcracker and the Mouse King to life. On stage, nuts offer space for boundless imagination: sometimes small, sometimes huge, they are always full of surprises. Forest fairies dance in circles and toys of every kind come to life: proud bullfighters, climbing harlequins, and headstrong camels populate the stage, where fantasy and reality merge.
The Nutcracker is Clara’s favorite Christmas present. Despite his tough exterior, the girl falls in love with him. Her godfather, Drosselmeier, has told her that the evil Mouse King turned his nephew into a Nutcracker. The story sparks Clara’s imagination: with the help of her toys, she sets out to battle the Mouse King and embark on a journey to free his nephew. For she sees what is special where others see only wood and mechanics. Clara sees not with her eyes, but with her heart.
In 2022, Edward Clug created his enchanting version for the Stuttgart Ballet. With costumes and set design by Jürgen Rose, this “fantastic” ballet brings E.T.A. Hoffmann’s tale The Nutcracker and the Mouse King to life. On stage, nuts offer space for boundless imagination: sometimes small, sometimes huge, they are always full of surprises. Forest fairies dance in circles and toys of every kind come to life: proud bullfighters, climbing harlequins, and headstrong camels populate the stage, where fantasy and reality merge.
The Nutcracker is Clara’s favorite Christmas present. Despite his tough exterior, the girl falls in love with him. Her godfather, Drosselmeier, has told her that the evil Mouse King turned his nephew into a Nutcracker. The story sparks Clara’s imagination: with the help of her toys, she sets out to battle the Mouse King and embark on a journey to free his nephew. For she sees what is special where others see only wood and mechanics. Clara sees not with her eyes, but with her heart.
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.
