Cracking night out with Clara and co

8:08am Thursday 29th November 2007

The Nutcracker Leeds Grand Theatre

I've had a soft spot for The Nutcracker as it was the first ballet I ever saw. Watching Northern Ballet Theatre's production this week, I felt like a wide-eyed child once again.

It is a delightful festive show, a traditionally-staged ballet with beautiful costumes and spectacular sets.

More than a century old, the story of Clara and her magic Nutcracker doll remains an enchanting family show with enough fun, excitement and visual treats to appeal to today's youngsters.

What child wouldn't be mesmerised by the sight of the Mouse King leading his army to battle against toy soldiers, a magic sleigh soaring towards the stars, or the Nutcracker himself coming to life?

The winter fairyland scene, complete with falling snow, was simply stunning and the international dances, from Arabian princesses to Russian Cossacks, all set to Tchaikovsky's famous score, were fabulous.

Keiko Amemori as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Hironao Takahashi as her Cavalier gave breathtaking performances, making world-class lifts and leaps look effortless.

Pippa Moore was a lovely childlike Clara, and Christopher Hinton-Lewis was delightful as the Nutcracker Prince. The ending, where he and Drosselmeyer (a charismatic Darren Goldsmith) say goodnight to Clara, made my spine tingle.

Well done too to Bradford dancers Joshua Ockerby, 12, and Bethany Walsh, 13, who played young party guests. The youngsters are students on NBT's Yorkshire Young Dancers classical training programme.

A not-to-be missed festive treat for the whole family. Trust me, even your little boys will enjoy this.

• Runs until Saturday December 8. The box office number is (0113) 2226222

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