The time: Christmas Eve, 1890.
The place: Clara’s home, where Clara’s parents are entertaining family and friends with a wonderful party. Clara’s favourite grand-uncle, Herr Drosselmeyer, enters the party and presents Clara with a nutcracker.
Every ballet fan knows what comes next — and it’s coming again soon to a stage near you.
Royal City Youth Ballet has taken its Nutcracker production on tour again for 2022, and it returns to the stage at Massey Theatre for two shows on Sunday, Dec. 18.
The show brings together a cast of more than 50 dancers from around the Lower Mainland, ranging in age from eight to 19. They’ve been rehearsing since early September under the artistic direction of Camilla Fishwick-Kellogg and her team.
The company’s full-length performance has long been one of New Westminster’s favourite holiday traditions in a busy pre-Christmas calendar — thanks to the talents of the dancers, plus the elaborate sets and extravagant costumes.
The audience can join along as Clara is transported into the world of magical soldiers, duelling mice, the swirling Snowflakes and their Snow King and Queen, a delicate Rose with her waltzing Rose Buds and Flowers, and, of course, the Sugar Plum Fairy, all set to the music of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker score.
The cast includes a large contingent of dancers from New Westminster and Burnaby: Addison Gosselin, Lauren Gosselin, Kennedy Gosselin, Estelle Meconse, Nicholas Schwartz, Emily Schwartz, Megan Schwartz, Anita Schwartz, Alex Schwartz, Izabel Pearce, Sydney Schiebler, Aidan Fung, Sadie Mckenzie, Anton Kolomiiets, Aidan Springle, Lorelei Sargisson, Grace Vaqarri, Angelique Sellis Boothroyd and Allegra Sellis Boothroyd.
Royal City Youth Ballet is a non-profit society that was formed in 1989.
Get your tickets for Royal City Youth Ballet's Nutcracker
- What: The Nutcracker, presented by Royal City Youth Ballet
- Where: Massey Theatre, 735 Eighth Ave.
- When: Sunday, Dec. 18, 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
- Tickets: $44 to $59; buy online.
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, [email protected]
