Act 1

It is Christmas Eve and family and friends are gathering to celebrate at the home of Herr and Frau Stahlbaum and their children, Clara and Fritz. Along with her grandparents, Herr Drosselmeyer Clara's favourite uncle, is also at the party. He is a man with magical powers which he uses to entertain the children. During the festivities Drosselmeyer presents Clara with a Nutcracker Doll, which she finds entrancing. Fritz, jealous of the present that she has been given, disrupts the harmonious proceedings by breaking the doll. Drosselmeyer, however, is able to mend it and the party continues. As the evening progresses, Drosselmeyer decides it is time to show Clara some magic beyond her wildest dreams. Having sent her to bed, and knowing that she will return for the Nutcracker Doll, Drosselmeyer waits for Clara to fall asleep by the fire so that her mystical journey can begin.

Just before midnight, Clara awakes as Drosselmeyer begins to summon mice and rats into the house. As the clock strikes twelve and the rats begin attacking her, the Nutcracker Doll suddenly appears and she is scared. Drosselmeyer then conjures the house and Christmas tree to grow to dizzying heights, before Clara finds herself in the midst of a battle between an army of soldiers led by the Nutcracker Doll, and a horde of rats and mice led by the frightening King Rat. He is finally defeated by Clara who kills him with a blow to the head. The rats and soldiers retreat and Drosselmeyer transforms the Nutcracker Doll into a handsome Prince. Drosselmeyer leads him and Clara into an Ice Kingdom, where she is greeted by the Snow Queen, her Icicles and Snowflakes. Clara and the Prince are then whisked away in an ice sleigh to continue their journey.

 

Act 2

Having travelled around the world escorted by the Snow Queen, Clara and the Prince arrive at their destination: the Kingdom of Sweets. They are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy and a host of beautiful flowers. In honour of the young Clara, Drosselmeyer entertains her with a variety of dances from across the globe, culminating in a glittering pas de deux for the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Prince. At the climax of these celebrations Drosslemeyer decides it is now time for Clara to return home and, as we see her waking up surrounded by her family, holding her beloved Nutcracker Doll, we realise it has all been a dream …... or has it?