“Varna International Ballet delivers a classic tale which brings audiences tradition, hope and the magic of storytelling”
The Varna National Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker delivered a beautiful interpretation of this Christmas classic. It had a familiar feel of festive magic that draws audiences in each year. From the moment the lights dimmed and the familiar music of Tchaikovsky filled the room, the anticipation was electric, reminding me why these productions are so popular among families and ballet fans alike.
From the start, the company moved with effortless grace across the stage. Their visual expressions brought the characters to life, and the corps de ballet delivered a performance that was confident and cohesive. Their movements were flawless as they danced across the stage with an elegance that you know comes from years of practiced discipline and trust amongst the dancers. The individual soloists brought their own artistry and interpretation to the characters, as they led the audience on a journey of wonder and discovery that can only be imagined in our dreams.
Pauline Faget was particularly enchanting as Marie, taking the audience into her dream world and leading them through this captivating tale of wonder and mystery. Her Pas de Deux with the Prince (Danylo Motkov) was elegant and a beautiful sight to see. Their chemistry was effortless and their movements and power show why they were chosen to play these characters.
Visually, the production leaned into tradition whilst also having a more modern feel to it with the scenes being changed by a visual display at the back of the stage. It meant the changes were effortless and did not need huge set pieces to tell the story. It is different from other Nutcracker productions in this sense, as I have not seen one that has used this way of scene setting before. It did not take anything away from the production, and was hardly noticeable with all the dancing going on right across the stage.
The costumes were so detailed and vibrant, they really made the production lifelike. It was easy to tell what characters and themes were going on in each scene. From the Fairytale about Hard Nut, to Marie’s dream in the Nutcracker’s world, that included dances from different countries, the costumes really played a huge part in adding personality to each scene, without taking away from the choreography.
Tchaikovsky’s iconic score filled the room with familiarity and a richness that added to the warmth of the production. It brought an emotional depth that helped to carry the story forward, from the quiet, more delicate moments to the sweeping score of the more dramatic scenes, the room was filled with an energy only Tchaikovsky’s brilliance could bring. Conducted by Azat Maksutov, the orchestra worked together to add balance and harmony to create poignant peaks that make The Nutcracker feel so timeless.
Overall, this was a heartfelt interpretation of the traditional Nutcracker story that delivered exactly what people need; hope, imagination and a little bit of magic. Through strong work from the corps de ballet and the soloists, this ballet brought a beautiful, familiar story to life that brings people together and gives audiences an enjoyable evening that they will remember for a long time after the curtain falls.