Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Nutcracker inhabits a snow-dusted Canada, at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, December 12 to 14
Pond hockey, RCMP battles, and polar bears bring this unique rendition home—with classic Russian touches, of course
The Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Nutcracker. Photo by Daniel Crump
Ballet BC presents the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Nutcracker at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre from December 12 to 14
WE’RE NOT EXACTLY sure it’s appropriate to call it “elbows up”, but at a moment when we’re looking to embrace all things Canadian, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s signature Nutcracker certainly appeals.
Its national pride is evident from the opening moments, when a hockey game unfolds on a frozen pond; later, the famous battle with the Mouse King features RCMP officers on Parliament Hill, and iconic Hudson’s Bay blankets even make an appearance. In fact, the setting was inspired by an estate on Winnipeg’s Wellington Crescent—in wintertime, of course. And did we mention the polar bears? (The original was set in 19th-century Germany, during a Christmas Eve party, with Russian touches.)
Of course, the entire production is lovingly Made in Canada. For example, RWB’s wardrobe department takes pains to hand-sew each of the exquisite costumes in-house, sometimes requiring 50 hours just to conjure a single, intricate snowflake tutu. (Costume designer Paul Daigle was even once a dancer at the Royal Winnipeg.)
And the performers? Look out for some top Canadian ballet talent, including Edmonton-born, Victoria-trained Josh Hidson and our own Kyra Soo, who trained right here in Vancouver with the Goh Ballet.
About the only exceptions: Russian composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s legendary score, with its Russian folk inflections mixed with Western European elements. And Galina Yordanova, who was once a ballerina with the famed Bolshoi Ballet, choreographed this Nutcracker’s exquisite Act 2‚ and it boasts some true, old-school Russian beauty—especially in the Waltz of the Flowers. So while the Canadian identity is strong here, those balletic roots go deeper, and farther, for a stunning meld of the Great White North with old-world Europe and Russia. 
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