Nutcracker! (2002) By Matthew Bourne

Question 1

What year was Nurcracker! first performed and by which company?

Answer 1

2002

New Adventures

Question 2

What is the subject matter?

Answer 2

A modern, bug and extravagant reinterpretation of the original Nutcracker. Clara is an orphan and Nutcracker is a boy and a doll who comes to life and takes Clara to the frozen lake and Sweetie land.

Question 3

Who designed Nutcracker! ?

Answer 3

Anthony Ward

Question 4

What is the aural setting?

Answer 4

The original pieces of music from Tchaikovsky, but in a different order and may have been changed in tempo etc to fit the plot better.

Question 5

What are the 5 scenes in Act 1?

Answer 5

1. Prep for a visit
2. Presents and party pieces
3. Time for bed
4. The revolt
5. The frozen lake

Question 6

What are the 3 scenes for act 2?

Answer 6

1. Road to sweetie land
2. By invitation only
3. The wedding party

Question 7

State and explain the 8 key specific influences for Bourne for this piece.

Answer 7

• The wizard of Oz= use of bright colours, change from black and white in orphanage to colour in sweetieland
• Busby Berkeley musicals= Patterns created by ensemble of dancers
• The child catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang= Dr. Dross’ character
• Frankenstein= film and theatre heavily influenced characters, especially nutcracker doll here
• Sonja Henie= famous figure skater
• Frederick Ashton= characterisation and narrative ballets
• Isadora Duncan= free movements, enjoyment, pedestrian gestures
• Lea Anderson= Bourne danced in her company, gestural movements

Question 8

What is the structure of the work and why?

Answer 8

Narrative= events happen in a chronological order that tells a story, and there is a clear introduction of characters, change of physical setting, and music to separate sections

Question 9

Describe the physical setting for act 1 scene 1 Prep for a visit?

Answer 9

• Set: there is a black and white checkerboard flooring, with brick stone walls. There is a clock on the wall, a large wardrobe USL, 3 beds on SR, and 2 on SL that decrease in size, a big window on the background.
• Costumes: all orphans in grey smock dresses or trousers and top to look like children, with girls hair in bunches or plaited.

Question 10

What happens to the set in Act 1 scene 4 The revolt

Answer 10

Back wall cracks and opens, allowing for the dancers to exit from upstage

Question 11

Describe the set design in Act 2 scene 2 The wedding party?

Answer 11

-Set: USC is a massive 3 tiered wedding cake which is decorated with flowers, bows, icing, candles, lights and a bride and groom figurine at the top. This is under a bright pink circular cut out, flooring same as Act 1

Question 12

Explain how design is essential to the communication of Nutcracker.

Answer 12

• design is what distinguishes between scenes, helping to portray story to the audience and take them on a journey
• set is very large and brightly coloured so all audience members feel involved and have a clear picture of what is happening
• Use of costume helps to portray the characters personality and change in costume helps portray dual roles
• design is used to dictate class visually e.g orphanage is monotone and sweetie land bright and extravagant

Question 13

1. Give a movement example from Act 1 Scene 1 Prep for a visit

Provide any description of other constituent features, interpretation, and what movement can be used to show

Answer 13

Movement: Clara is stood facing downstage left and she takes two jumps on the spot but changing feet with her arms of opposition. She then jumps twice more but on the second one performs a half star jump kick on her right leg and arm out to the side. She then takes four runs moving directly forward swinging her arms one at a time forwards over her head. She then travels towards nutcracker gives her a bashful look.

Constituent features: Clara is wearing a grey smoke with her hair in bunches to portray her as a little girl. Music is also high-pitched and playful and there is a direct correlation between the movement and the music.

Interpretation: shows Clara’s and nutcrackers playful, fun and innocent relationship with each other.

Shows:

• The theme of first love because not only does Clara appear as a child but she also acts like one through the pedestrian and playful movement. The movement of quite big and elevated as she is trying to get nutcrackers attention who she has a crush on. Nutcrackers reaction to this is quite shy and bashful as it interact with one another displaying the first love.
• direct correlation

Question 14

2. Give a movement example from Act 1 Scene 2 Presents and Party pieces

Provide any description of other constituent features, interpretation, and what movement can be used to show

Answer 14

Movement: dr dross is stood stage left and he leans towards the female governors clenching his fists flexing his bicep muscles and smiles at them, implying for them to touch them. He looks to stage right on spots the matron and instantly stands up straight raising his shoulders. He then moves in a circular pathway from stage left to centre stage and performs six slow controlled and purposeful walks with the attention to the audience

Constituent features: he is wearing a long black leather tail coat with a black fitted suit a white shirt and a black tie and black shoes. His hair is gelled and slipped back out of his face. Make up to appear pale and eyes are darker – influence from child catcher. Music is strike of a drum, low pitched and ominous

Interpretation: the villain is an evil and bad character

Shows: -mood and atmosphere

Question 15

3. Give another movement example from Act 1 Scene 2 Presents and Party pieces

Provide any description of other constituent features, interpretation, and what movement can be used to show

Answer 15

Movement: Clara‘s jaw drops as she reaches into the box to receive the doll. She smiles and raises the doll as high above her head as possible still smiling and in awe of it. She spins around travelling from StageLeft to centre stage. She holds the doll out in front of her wide eyed before instantly hugging it into her chest closing her eyes. She holds it away and hugs it for a second time showing her disbelief.

Constituent features: tempo of music is slow as she locks eyes with the doll and speeds up as she spins around and slows down when she looks at it

Interpretation: Clara is in awe of nutcracker and can’t believe she has received him. The string sounds of the music show the love and romance.

Question 16

4. Give a movement example from Act 1 Scene 4 The revolt

Provide any description of other constituent features, interpretation, and what movement can be used to show

Answer 16

Movement: sugar stomps over from stage right towards the door and then her facial expression changes and she reverses back the way she came, towards the wardrobe where she suddenly things open the doors with both hands revealing nutcracker. He hinges forwards at the waist and sugar screams and runs off stage

Constituent features: A flash of lighting is seen outside of the window. General lighting on stage is dim with a blue tint. There is a crash of thunder and music is very low and loud as the wardrobe doors fling open and build to the crescendo.

Interpretation: Nutcracker has now turned into a real life doll and at first appears terrifying.

Shows: influence of tin man from Wizard of Oz and Frankenstein as the monsters brought to life. Shows the theme of dreams and nightmares.

Question 17

5. Give a movement example from Act 1 scene 5 The frozen lake

Provide any description of other constituent features, interpretation, and what movement can be used to show

Answer 17

Movement: has Nutcracker removed his mask with both hands he stares directly at Clara. Nutcracker and Clara walk towards centre stage to meet staring intently at each other. Clara than places have write it on his chest as if listening to his heart was continuing to gaze at his face. He looks out to the audience with an air of confidence.

Constituent features: there is a pool of light on Clara and nutcracker and the rest of the stage is dimly lit. Nutcracker is barechested wearing white trousers and braces. Clara is wearing a cream kneelength nightgown showing her innocence and purity. Music is a harp, which feels the romantic atmosphere.

Interpretation: shows Clara’s sexual awakening and adult relationship. Shows a journey from her first love to her adult romance.

Shows: dream of growing up as she appears starstruck by his beauty and is intrigued by him.

Question 18

6. Give a movement example from Act 1 Scene 5 The frozen lake

Provide any description of other constituent features, interpretation, and what movement can be used to show

Answer 18

Movement: dances are stood facing down stage right on the leg with the gesture leg in attitude at the back and the right arm is extended forwards. The left hand is on the skirts and they quickly shake the tip of their skirts to make it ruffle

Constituent features: A blue sky with white clouds as the background. Dancers are mostly in white to reinforce winter snow. There is a large satin pillow upstage centre showing theme of dreams. Lighting is a bright white.

Interpretation: The shaking of the skirt looks like the breeze that figure skaters get as they glide at high speeds around the ice.

Shows: influence of figure skater Sonja Henie

Question 19

7. Give a movement example from Act 2 scene 1 Road to sweetie land

Provide any description of other constituent features, interpretation, and what movement can be used to show

Answer 19

Movement: Clara is stood upstage left and the two Cupid’s lunch towards Clara has a blue and white polkadot dress is flown and using a harness. Clara runs nervously towards upstage right as the dress with two white doves on it appears from above her. She quickly changes out of her white nightgown and the two cupids help Clara into the dress and fasten it up for her.

Constituent features: A white spotlight is on Clara as the dress gets flown in. The music is repeating melody of high-pitched and light sounding instruments. There is also the sound effects of birds chirping

Interpretation: Her change of dress shows her change of class which is needed to fit in with sweetie land. The dress is inspired from Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. Also shows theme of adventure as the change of dress is required in order for Clara to be accepted in Sweetieland

Question 20

8. Give a movement example from Act 2 Scene 2 By invitation only

Provide any description of other constituent features, interpretation, and what movement can be used to show

Answer 20

Movement: The Queen leans over with her right arm and drags of finger across his chest and licks her finger and smiles interestingly. Prince bonbon licks up his right arm with his tongue sticking out and holds his stomach sticking his tongue up further like he he’s gagging. The king sharply pulls his finger up behind and leans his head backwards as he licks his finger very purposefully like he’s savouring the taste. He then goes for a second taste of his torso

Constituent features: A huge bright pink glittery open mouth taken from the Rolling Stones. Backdrop is pink stripes. There is a repeating melody in the music on each lick.

Interpretation: The way to sweetie land is through the mouth. Licking gesture shows them judging him on his taste and this is a link to societies acceptance and approval of each other

Question 21

9. Give a movement example from Act 2 scene 2 by invitation only

Provide any description of other constituent features, interpretation, and what movement can be used to show

Answer 21

Movement: The two male liquorice dancers are stood either side of the female licorice dancer and they face up stage then turned down stage travelling down stage stomping their feet and twisting their wrists as she slowly walks forwards, throwing her arms up and down.

Constituent features: female is in a black longsleeve dress with images of licorice sweets printed on the skirt. Males have bright pink trousers and slick back hair and a moustache with blue and yellow shirts. Music is very grand and upbeat and you could hear the castanets linking it to Spanish flamenco dancing

Interpretation: dancers are meant to appear flirty exotic and confident through the stamping after initially appearing intimidating

Shows: cultural influence

Question 22

10. Give a movement example from Act 2 scene 2 by invitation only

Provide any description of other constituent features, interpretation, and what movement can be used to show

Answer 22

Movement: Marshmallow girls enter stage walking flicking alternating legs at a low level, with one arm swinging across the body. The right arm is bent at the elbow holding their ticket to the party. The walks are bouncy and on the balls of the feet the heads nod forwards and backwards as they step

Constituent features: The girls are in bright pink costumes with little fluffy short skirts and a fluffy headpiece. It’s a halterneck decorated with white pom-poms and their nude heels. Music is very high-pitched and you can hear a flute playing a sweet sound

Interpretation: appear airheads and dipsy as they bounce across the stage,

Shows: -direct correlation as walks match rhythm of music
-mood and atmosphere as look like how the music sounds

Question 23

11. Give a movement example from Act 2 scene 2 by invitation only

Provide any description of other constituent features, interpretation, and what movement can be used to show

Answer 23

Movement: The three gobstoppers custard in a triangle formation downstage left and they drop the head shot before what’s eight times with the hands held in fist out in front of them. The blue gobstopper then gallops across stage in a horizontal direct pathway with one arm pointing the way he’s going and other arm pulling across the chest. They’re mouths are in an o shape like theyre shouting

Shows: humour

Question 24

12. Give a movement example from Act 2 scene 3 The wedding party

Provide any description of other constituent features, interpretation, and what movement can be used to show

Answer 24

Movement: All dances are distributed across the three characters and sat on their knees they hold onto the candle with one arm and extend the other arm to the person sat next to them then lick their finger like the tasting them. They then stretch one leg out and lean over their own leg and lick their finger like the are tasting themselves.

Constituent features: climax of work so most well known music

Interpretation: repeat of licking gesture shows judging and approving

Shows: Busby Berkeley influence of patterns
- MGM musicals through bright colours and design