Blame it on the criminally forgotten 2001 movie Barbie in the Nutcracker, but ever since childhood, I’m absolutely convinced that sugar plum fairies and toy soldiers are an integral part of Christmas.
More famous as a ballet, the classic tale comes with nostalgia, magic, and best of all – a superb score from Tchaikovsky. If you’re not a ballet lover, don’t fret: aside from Barbie‘s stab at it there have been numerous non-dance interpretations, most pertinently this one from Olivier-winning theatre company, Little Bulb. Directed by Alexander Scott, this playful production aimed at children ages five to 12 was originally seen at the Polka Theatre, and has now transferred to St Martin’s Theatre for the season.
Pantomime meets puppet show in a bright and bold spectacle that is full of life and laughter. There are plenty of Christmas bangers to sing along to – plus the Tchaikovsky score playing in the background – and above all there’s an abundance of enthusiasm from the brilliant cast.
Sam Wilde’s set design is quirky and inventive. Cardboard boxes are transformed into creative moving parts such as a Christmas tree, a car and much more – all highlighted by Joshua Pharo’s clever use of lighting. Dramatic colour variations change the atmosphere at pivotal moments in the performance; from moody blues to ominous reds at the arrival of the dreaded Mouse King (played by Clare Beresford). The entire production has a DIY feel to it, which feels fresh, successfully capturing the imagination of the audience.
The show is interactive from the very start – the kids are referred to as ‘little mice’ and we adults are ‘big mice’ – but are we good or evil? After getting us warmed up with a few ‘aahs’ and ‘oohs’ and a sing-song, the chorus of mice (also known as ‘The Cheesy Five’) introduce the story, which, if you’re unfamiliar, is not usually how it’s done…
This modern retelling is set in London, in which Clara (Lakeisha Lynch) and her brother, Fritz (Dominic Conway) and their dad (Shamira Turner) move into a dilapidated house in suburban Wimbledon. It’s mouse-infested, dirty and dusty. Oh, and the plumbing doesn’t work. Cue lots of poo jokes. After a mysterious visit from their Aunty Hilda (Caroline Partridge), with a delivery of ‘special cheese’, and an even more special gift (The Nutcracker, of course), we are well underway into a journey of joyous fun.
Ater a sibling squabble, the precious Nutcracker is broken and Clara must rebuild it to restore Christmas…obviously. But once the Nutcracker is whole again, this is when the magic happens and she is suddenly shrunk into the size of a mouse.
After a quick visit from The Sugar Plum Fairy (also played by Turner), who arrives from the Land of Sweets, resembling something of a northern Mary Poppins, Clara is tasked with defeating the evil Mouse King once and for all.
The villain dons multiple floating mouse heads, has a contagious cackle of a laugh, and just so happens to live in the family’s run-down house. But worst of all, he’s stolen the family’s ‘special cheese’… It’s not long before Clara’s brother, Fritz joins her as a tiny person, and together, they must go on a magical quest through the Desert of Dust, Cobweb City and Pipes of Peril. After a hefty battle, The Mouse King finally comes to his senses through song with none other than The Pogues’ ‘Fairytale of New York’.
The transitions between costumes are excellent and the cast bounce off each other perfectly, with an ebullient ease. Moments of slapstick comedy are intertwined with not-so-subtle moral messages of sibling love, family, friendship and general goodwill. It is Christmas, after all and it’s the perfect show for festive family fun.
