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Airdate: Christmas in July: The Nutcracker

Nine marks 60 years of the Qld Ballet with a special presentation of The Nutcracker.

Well this is a rarity… ballet on Channel Nine.

Nine is celebrating 60 years of the Queensland Ballet with a special presentation of Christmas in July: The Nutcracker tomorrow afternoon.

This production marks the return to the stage after 18 years of retirement for Queensland Ballet artistic director, Li Cunxin AO, the man who inspired the acclaimed book and movie Mao’s Last Dancer. It was the first ballet he performed when he moved to the West almost 40 years ago.

“During these challenging times, this special presentation of The Nutcracker is keeping the magic alive by sharing a story of festivity and spirit. It is a meaningful way to acknowledge the wonderful milestone of 60 years of the Queensland Ballet company,” Li said.

The full performance, staged in 2017, will be available on 9Now.

Viewers are invited to dust off their decorations, try their hand at their plum pudding recipe and indulge in this festive family tradition to get into the Christmas spirit this July and bring some magic to 2020.

Offering rare insights into the lives of our top dancers, viewers will be taken behind the scenes to witness their commitment to the art of ballet and see the carefully curated costumes responsible for transforming them into festive characters.

In The Nutcracker, viewers will be introduced to outstanding performers including Lucy Green who transforms herself into the Snow Queen; Mia Heathcote who plays the protagonist Clara; senior soloist Vito Bernasconi; and principal dancers Yanela Pinera and Victor Estevez.

The famous ballet follows the journey of Clara who, on the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, finds herself embarking on the magical adventure of a lifetime when her gift, a nutcracker, comes to life.

Viewers will be whisked away with Clara to the Land of Snow and Kingdom of Sweets to be entertained by performances that include the Arabian Dance, Gopak, Dance of the Mirlitons, Waltz of the Flowers and The Sugar Plum Pas de Deux.

Saturday, July 25, at 12.30pm on Nine.

4 Responses

  1. I’m surprised this is going nationwide as I thought it would have been a local production only. Must be the power of Li Cunxin, he has done wonders with the Queensland Ballet

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