Preparations are already well underway for Creation’s glorious production of The Nutcracker to descend on The North Wall this Christmas, as the traditional, festive, fairy tale is brought dazzlingly to life.
Expect villainous mice, a rockstar baddie, animated toys, a world of sweets, toe-tapping music, a rapping fairy, energetic dancing, audience interaction, a battle of the bands and a very sugary theme.
‘We want to spread some Christmas joy, and this is Creation’s take on a classic, so expect the unexpected’
Usually performed as a ballet, Creation has gone back to E.T.A Hoffmann’s original short story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King to bring us a show bursting with energy, laughter and fun.
Directed by Creation’s Helen Eastman, she says: “I wanted to celebrate the humour and the oddness of the story — it’s wonderfully surreal, so we’ve reimagined it by creating a brand-new script with original songs by Patrick Stockbridge, and it’s been joyful.
“The challenge is always to make something that feels fresh, that invites both children and adults into the magic in different ways, and I think we’ve really achieved that balance here because The Nutcracker is such an incredibly Christmassy story — full of magic, wonder, and eccentricity.”
‘The challenge is to make something that feels fresh, that invites both children and adults into the magic in different ways, and I think we’ve really achieved that here’
“We want to spread some Christmas joy, and this is Creation‘s take on a classic, so expect the unexpected,” cast member Clark Alexander adds.
“Because Creation’s Nutcracker moves between two worlds, that of the Mouse King and Drosselmeier’s workshop, so it’s really magical, a bit like The Wizard of Oz.”
For those who haven’t come across the story, it’s set around Marie and her siblings at Christmas. Drosselmeier (Clark) is her godfather and his nutcracker (in the shape of a solider) pervades her dreams. It’s then left up to the audience to determine whether the grand battle that ensues between the toys and the Mouse King is real or not, as they unite to defeat the mice.
‘That sense of inclusivity, imagination, and joyful collaboration is what really makes a Creation Theatre show’
As for the youth chorus who appear as carol singers and crazy mice, the 24 local children hail from all over Oxfordshire, recruited through the Creation youth and holiday groups.
“Our brilliant Youth Chorus are such a special part of our Christmas productions and will perform alongside professional actors, which always brings incredible energy,” Helen says. “That sense of inclusivity, imagination, and joyful collaboration is what really makes a Creation Theatre show.”
“But then The Nutcracker is a show that will bring the whole community together, and through our ‘pay it forward’ scheme, we’re making sure as many people as possible can share in the experience as possible, whether you’re five or ninety-five.”
Making his Creation debut as Drosselmeier, Clark can’t wait for the production to open on Nov 29, and says: “This is Helen’s baby and she’s injecting her jolly Christmas spirit into the original fairy tale in true Creation style with a power house of a cast. And as it’s set on Christmas Eve, it’s a truly Christmas story, and a great alternative to panto.”
‘as it’s set on Christmas Eve, it’s a truly Christmas story, and a great alternative to panto’
Champing at the bit to start performing the toe-tapping, catchy tunes, and play the guitar, (Clark’s father is bassist Graeme Clark in the band Wet Wet Wet, so he grew up in a household full of creatives), Clark adds: “I love the buzz of being in a theatre and telling stories, so it will be lovely to be back in an intimate venue like the North Wall where the audience is right up close, and everyone has a great view.
“So come along, because The Nutcracker is going to be delicious, lickalicious and scrumptadicious, and the best way to start your Christmas.”
Creation’s The Nutcracker runs from November 29 – January 3. Book here https://creationtheatre.co.uk/show/nutcracker/
