In the classic ballet performance of The Nutcracker, a young girl helps her nutcracker doll to defeat the Mouse King. The alternative Nutcracker performance, as reimagined by director Juliette Manon, twists this into grungy queer comedy.
We’re first met by two characters, Roach (Heledd Watkins – she/her) and Papa The Pigeon (Sam Roberts – he/him), who introduce some house rules. After each rule, the audience screams “YES ROACH!” as the character reminds us that consent is sexy and the performers must not be touched. The audience also has a signal to give performers if they also do not wish to be touched or interacted with.
Set in a fictional cabaret club, Le Crack, our host The Rat King (“The” because grammar is important) bursts onto centre stage as part of a dynamic musical number, allowing us to meet the other characters of the story. The Rat King, played by Len Blanco/Len Gwyn (they/he), is phenomenal throughout, making sure the audience are involved in the story and comedically quick on their feet. When one audience member laughs so hard they snorted, Len is very quick to point this out…
Other Nutcracker characters here include Moth (Rotten Peach, she/it), Spider/Ellie-Dee (Daisy Williams, she/her), Fly/Sugar Plum Fairy (Cadbury Parfait, she/her) and, yes, The Nutcracker (Diomede he/they). Moth gives us snippets of comedy in between scenes without dialogue, as well as acrobatic perfection; Spider also provides us with hoop acrobatics and a wholesome love story (no spoilers here!). Fly battles a Henry Hoover, Sugar Plum Fairy seduces the crowd, and finally, The Nutcracker tried to convince himself that he loves Top Gear.
If you don’t understand anything I just said, suffice it to say that you ought to grab a Nutcracker ticket before its NYE finale and acquaint yourself. Whoever you are, whatever you are, I can guarantee that you will laugh, cry and – most importantly – feel safe at this year’s Christmas cabaret.
Nutcracker: The Alternative Cabaret, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Tue 10 Dec
On until Tue 31 Dec. Tickets: £20. Info: here
words CHLOE JACKSON-NOTT photos KIRSTEN MCTERNAN
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