The Nutcracker Flashcards
Who was Matthew Bourne?
He is an English choreographer.
Born January.
First full show was ‘The Nutcracker’
What company performed this?
Adventures in Motion Pictures
now known as New Adventures
When was the first performance?
August 1992
Who was the composer?
What was the accompaniment like?
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
It was classical, orchestral and it was composed in 1892 for the original Ivanov ballet.
Who was the costume designer?
More detail?
Anthony Ward
The second act is colourful, bright and over the top to show the characters. There are some cultural influences and literal references to sweet.
Who was the lighting designer?
More detail?
Howard Harrison
It was theatrical to help create atmosphere.
Who was the set designer?
More detail?
Anthony Ward
The set was partly realistic but larger than life and almost cartoon-like.
Scene 1 is an austere, drab orphanage with iron beds. There is an interval scene on a frozen lake.
Scene 2, entered through a large mouth, represents Sweetieland – complete with a massive three-tier wedding cake.
Type of staging?
Proscenium
How many dancers?
24
What style of dance is it?
Contemporary and ballet. There are also exaggerated but realistic use of gestures.
What choreographic style is it?
Reworking the traditional ballet. Influenced by film and theatre. Close relation between the dance and ballet.
What are the main themes?
The Nutcracker story retold with references to adolescences, escapism, fantasy and satire.
What were the starting points / inspiration?
The classical ballet and the music.
What is the structure of the piece?
Two acts with nine episodes (original version)
