Think you’ve been there, seen it, done it when it comes to The Nutcracker? Think again. Head to West London this Christmas for a holiday treat the whole family will love. Amelia Kassell reviews for East End Kids
Little Bulb Theatre’s irreverent reworking of the Tchaikovsky classic strips away the ballet, twists the tale on its head, and replaces tutus with singalong Christmas pop hits — without losing any of the magic. In fact, for many families, this bold and brilliantly silly version may well be preferable to the traditional ballet.
When two squabbling siblings, Clara and Fritz, receive a mysterious Nutcracker from their flamboyant Aunt on Christmas Eve, they are swept into a fantastical adventure in the ‘Mousey Realm’. Shrunk to the size of mice, they must navigate treacherous territory, put aside their sibling rivalry, and face off against a fearsome, many-headed Mouse King determined to ruin Christmas.
Family dynamics, jealousy, giant cheese and even bigger poos replace Clara’s traditional love story, but the emotional core of the tale remains intact. Grief is handled with real sensitivity and in an age-appropriate way, as the children battle not just the Mouse King, but their own fears, to save their father’s deeply sentimental Christmas present: a slice of their late mother’s favourite cheese.
Once in the Mousey Realm, the action is fast, funny and gloriously chaotic. Cobweb City and the Pipes of Peril are tackled with infectious energy and raucous humour, reaching peak silliness when the siblings are forced to slice apart a truly enormous floater left behind by human-sized Fritz. It’s unapologetically bonkers, and kids absolutely love it.
The production is brought to life through ingenious cardboard sets and costumes crafted from boxes and loo rolls, evoking the kind of rainy-day creative projects my own children adore. The effect is charming, inventive and surprisingly immersive.
The entire multitasking cast is superb, but my children were especially captivated by Clare Beresford as the Mouse King, who also doubles as the much less scary narrator. Her powerhouse singing voice and boisterous humour had the whole audience joining in with festive favourites like Fairytale of New York and All I Want for Christmas Is You.
My children came out debating whether this version of The Nutcracker counts as a panto. It definitely isn’t, but it delivers the same riotous blend of popular music, in-jokes, call-and-response moments and joyful chaos. My husband and I probably preferred it to panto; it felt fresher, pacey, genuinely creative and utterly unpredictable.
**** “JOYOUS! This ebullient retelling of this rodent classic packs an emotional charge” — The Stage
If you’re still searching for a festive theatre trip that genuinely works for the whole family, this is one we would wholeheartedly recommend.
Venue details
St Martin’s Theatre
West Street
London WC2H 9NZ
https://www.nutcrackerchristmas.com
The show is on at the historic home of The Mousetrap until 4 January and is a festive treat families in East London (and beyond) shouldn’t miss this holiday season.