Tchaikovsky’s much-loved ballet takes on a contemporary twist in the English National Ballet’s seasonal production of The Nutcracker at the London Coliseum.

Based on the 19th Century original by E.T.A Hoffman, this enchanted fairytale tells the story of Clara, a young girl who receives the Christmas gift of a wooden nutcracker doll from the great magician Drosselmeyer. In the middle of the night, Clara wakes up and searches for her doll. When she finds him, the nutcracker doll transforms into a handsome prince who takes her on a magical journey to the Land of the Snow. There, they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy who, partnered by her husband, performs a passionate pas de deux to entertain their new guests. At this point, the emphasis shifts from narrative movement to pure dance as the pair effortlessly execute a breath-taking sequence of lifts and formations. Following a scintillating series of ensemble numbers, Clara and the Nutcracker bring the production to an unforgettable close by leading the entire cast in a celebratory dance before flying off into the distance.

Choreographer Christopher Hampton succeeds in the delicate task of bringing relevance to a modern audience while remaining faithful to the original creation by combining a contemporary Christmas setting with dance sequences that appeared in the ballet’s earliest production. Old and new unite again as spiky haired children share the stage with an ancient army general and a traditional romance blossoms amid cartoon creatures and comical caricatures.

Agnes Oaks dazzles as the Sugar Plum Fairy displaying flawless technique and intoxicating presence. It is, however, slightly disappointing that she does not take the stage until the second act and, sadly, her exquisite expression shines an unflattering light on the less-accomplished members of the cor who surround her.

Praise should also be awarded to Fabian Reimair for his commanding portrayal of the magician Drosselmeyer and to Begona Cao whose Arabian dance is, undoubtedly, a highlight of the show.

Overall, the production is a seasonal sensation – delightfully colorful and bursting with youthful energy. Where old merges with young and fantasy dances with reality, The Nutcracker never fails to excite wonder in audiences of all ages.

Once again, the ENB’s vibrant, spellbinding and gloriously eccentric production of this timeless classic pulsates with festive excitement and is fully worthy of its place as a Christmas staple the world over.