The Nutcracker Theatre

The Nutcracker show is a brilliant ballet rendition and a perfect addition to the Christmas sparkle. A classic two-act ballet performance, The Nutcracker is a Christmas spectacular masterpiece that has attracted millions of attendees annually.

Highlights

A truly enchanting and spellbinding show, the inspiring composition and ethereal atmosphere make the Nutcracker an absolute family treat for Christmas.

Recommended For

A magical way to spend Christmas for children and adults.

Inclusions

General Admission

About

Scored by the world famous Russian Composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky, written by E.T.A Hoffmann and adapted from Alexandre Dumas’s version, the endearing play is brought to live by a dazzling performance from 100 ballet dancers, musicians and a magical set. Based in a frost covered Edwardian London, enter the enchanting world of little Clara on Christmas eve as she and her family host a family dinner to which Clara’s godfather, Drosselmeyer arrives and gifts her a wooden Nutcracker doll. Unbeknownst to her, the doll has a magical spell and as midnight strikes, it comes alive along with the other toy soldiers. All of a sudden, mice start running about the room and as the Christmas tree starts rising higher, the toy soldiers along with the Nutcracker fight a battle with the evil Mouse King. Defeating the Mouse King, the Nutcracker and Clara hop on a hot air balloon ride across London to the winter wonderland of Sweets wherein the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy welcomes them. The ballet ends with an ethereal performance from the cast.

Address & Timings

London Coliseum

Address: St Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4ES
Timings: 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm, 13-30 December 2018
Price (In INR approximately): From INR 5,000 – INR 9,071

Royal Albert Hall

Address: Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP
Timings: 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm, 5:30pm, 7:00pm, Friday 28 – Monday 31 December 2018
Price (In INR approximately): From INR 3,175 – INR 8,619

Royal Opera House

Address: Bow Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9DD
Timings: 12:30pm, 2:00pm and 7:30pm, 3 December 2018—15 January 2019
Price (In INR approximately): From INR 544 – INR 6,710

Interesting Facts About the Nutcracker Show

The Nutcracker ballet premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg on December 18, 1892. It was performed along with Tchaikovsky's one-act opera "Iolanta."
The name of the young heroine has changed quite a few times. In the original E.T.A. Hoffmann story, she is named Maria or Marie, and Clara is the name of one of her dolls. In some German versions, she is also called Marichen. In Russia, the heroine was renamed Masha after World War I.
Tchaikovsky based the voice of the Sugar Plum Fairy on a new instrument he discovered in Paris: The Celesta. He smuggled it into Russia from Paris to add its distinctive sound in the play. The uniquely twinkling instrument had a clear, bell-like tone with ethereal notes, perfect for the fairy-tale ambiance of The Nutcracker. He also used children's toys as instruments in keeping with the tale as a children's story.
The Christmas ballet was first performed outside of Russia in England in 1934.
Tchaikovsky did not believe that The Nutcracker was exceptional. In fact, he apparently felt that the music that accompanied the ballet of Sleeping Beauty that he had previously composed was far more superior. Ironically, today The Nutcracker is one of the best known and admired pieces he wrote in his lifetime.
According to a German folklore, the nutcrackers protect your family and bring your home good luck. For this reason, nutcrackers were often given to children at Christmastime.
Tchaikovsky died less than a year after the original production of The Nutcracker. Critics were disappointed with the piece and its future looked bleak. It wasn’t until George Balanchine’s production of the ballet in 1954 that the show began to gain popularity but alas, he died never knowing the impact his work would have on audiences around the world.

How to get to

Royal Opera House

By Tube

The nearest Underground stations are Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Holborn and Charing Cross.

By Train

The nearest train station is Charing Cross.

By Bus

1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 26, 68, 76, 77a, 91, 168, 171, 176, 188, 501 (southbound only), 505, 521, X68 all go to the Aldwych, which is close to the Theatre.

Royal Albert Hall

By Tube

South Kensington and High Street Kensington are the closest underground stations to the Royal Albert Hall. It takes approximately 10-15 minutes to walk to the Royal Albert Hall from either station.

The nearest underground station offering step-free access from street to train is Green Park. Buses 9 and 10 travel from Green Park to the Hall.

By Rail

Victoria and Paddington are the nearest National Rail stations, each are an approximate 30 minute walk away but offer tube and bus connections.

By Bus

The following buses can be taken to the venue:

9/N9, 10, 52, N52, 452 and 702 – Nearest Stop: RL, RC – Kensington Gore
70: Nearest Stop - RS, RD – Queen’s Gate
360: Nearest Stop - RC, RZ – Prince Consort Road

London Coliseum

By Tube

London Coliseum is situated between Leicester Square and Charing Cross tube stations, which give alternative access to the Northern, Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines.

From Charing Cross, walk to the end of Charing Cross Road, across Trafalgar Square and onto St Martin’s Lane, where the theatre is located on the right.

From Leicester Square tube station, turn left out of the station and walk behind Wyndham’s Theatre, following the route onto St Martin’s Lane. Turn right and walk down the road, past the Duke of York’s Theatre until you reach the end of the road. The London Coliseum should be on the left. This walk will take about 5 minutes.

By Rail

London Coliseum is approximately a 7-minute walk from Charing Cross Station. On exiting the station, cross The Strand and turn left on Duncannon Street. Walk to the end of the road and turn right onto Charing Cross Road. Follow Charing Cross Road along the side of Trafalgar Square, then turn right onto William IV Street. Take the immediate left onto St Martin’s Lane, and the London Coliseum will be just ahead on the right.

By Bus

Bus routes that stop along Charing Cross Road, close to the London Coliseum, are: 24, 29 and 176.

At Trafalgar Square and Charing Cross Station, there are stops served by routes: 6, 9, 11, 15, 23, 87 and 91.

Location

London Coliseum