Ouch! I think some critics still know how to be mean:

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Andrew thanks a lot for this. I'm going to make sure that we have it in "UK performance" and close this topic.

Clement is a stylish writer, but....

“The Nutcracker” on 23rd December (evening performance) provided an enjoyable evening of dance thanks to Christopher Hampson’s choreography and the quality of the dancers. Having said that, a weak point in the performance was the Spanish, Chinese, Arabian and dances, where dancers did not seem to have anything very interesting to do. Pedro Lapetra as the Russian dancer, however, performed some exciting leaps and brought the show back to life.

Gerald Scarfe’s sets were colourful and fantastic, enhanced by John Rayment’s skilful lighting design. The story book worked well as did the fridge with the jack frosts leaping out of it. Their costumes too were eye-catching and original. However, I thought the costumes in the party scene were an assortment of the grotesque, though this is quite possibly what they were meant to be. After this scene, however, costumes became much more attractive and interesting. I particularly liked the mice and their king.

The success of “The Nutcracker” depends on the characterisation and dancing of Clara and Lisa Probert did both beautifully. I did not enjoy Drosselmeyer’s transformation into a “magician and showman”, which made him less mysterious and powerful. Though Juan Rodriguez’s dancing was a pleasure to watch, his magician’s costume looked as though it was left over from “Grease”.

Erina Takahashi was a perfect Sugar Plum Fairy and Arionel Vargas a dashing prince. The ensemble pieces were well danced and the whole show made for great holiday entertainment.

The Nutcracker
By Debra Craine for The Times

What do you want your Nutcracker to be? If you want a sense of magic and fantasy then this English National Ballet offering might not be for you. But if you want easy laughs and eye-popping visuals then this Nutcracker, ensconced at the Coliseum until January 1, is just the ticket.

It’s all about Gerald Scarfe. He was responsible for “concept and design” for this 2002 staging and not surprisingly, given that he’s a famous cartoonist, he made a cartoon that moves.

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The Nutcracker
By John Percival for The Stage

This is an unusually jolly Nutcracker - designer Gerald Scarfe led the concept with Christopher Hampson as choreographer and between them they have given the characters and the plot all the wit of Scarfe’s lifetime of cartooning.

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