BWW Reviews: THE NUTCRACKER at New Wimbledon Theatre, March 13 2012

Okay, ballet is not coal-mining, but it's still bloody hard work. So it's a joy to see how much the dancers appear to be loving every moment of the 120 minutes of this 120-year-old masterpiece. 

As it's a Matthew Bourne production, the two hours are packed with action on stage (and it all looks absolutely fantastic) but there's room for plenty of laughs for the audience and a few giggles for the performers. Forget the formalities of tutus, dancers en pointe and weepy curtain-calls -this show (Matthew's descriptor, not mine) is pure entertainment.

The story (do you really want the story) is standard-fare fairytale stuff - mistreated orphan girl's toy comes to life (as a Prince of course) and whisks her away to Sweetieland. But never mind all that. The music soars and seduces (there's lots of old favourites that even the most classical music averse person will recognise with a smile) and everyone looks utterly spectacular in costumes that even the late Leigh Bowery may have felt just a tad bold. The dancers dance beautifully - but they would wouldn't they - and they also act well, bringing pathos and humour to their roles. Hannah Vassallo was a winning Clara (who got her reward for persistence in the end) and Chris Trenfield was a fine Nutcracker, eliciting a few female (perhaps a few male) sighs in the stalls. Adam Maskell's Humbug Bouncer repelling Clara from Sweetieland in a David Byrne "Stop Making Sense" suit, was the pick of a dazzling support cast.

It's not as outrageous as panto, not as formal as ballet and not as bum-achingly worthy as (some) grand opera - but it is a splendid diversion and a real crowd-pleaser as proved by the tremendous reception afforded to the whole company come curtain call. Bravos for bonbons!

The Nutcracker continues at the New Wimbledon Theatre until March 17 and then on tour.