NUTCRACKER ON ICE | STAGE REVIEW
Wales Millennium Centre, Fri 8 Nov
On Christmas Eve, family and friends gather to decorate a beautiful Christmas tree, and prepare for the festivities, children gather and play. Suddenly, a mysterious figure arrives and gives gifts to the children, Clara our heroine is given a wooden Nutcracker carved in the shape of a man, but in typical sibling rivalry the soldier is broken by her brother. Later that night she sneaks down to the parlour and at the stroke of midnight, all hell breaks loose and she is caught in the middle of a battle between an army of gingerbread soldiers and the Nutcracker against mice, led by the Mouse King, Magic soon prevails and the soldier comes back to life and helps Clara fight off king and Queen Mouse.
Bearing in mind this fantastical tale is incredibly visual and aesthetic to create, watching it being performed on ice is truly magical. The skill of the skaters and the costumes and routines are dazzling. The Wales Millennium stage was transformed into a magical world where good battles with evil. Keith Chegwin (AKA Cheggers) plays the Machiavellian Drosselmeyer the gift bearer, even with his limited skating ability, he does manage to pull it off. The part everyone loves is the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy in the land of sweets, another memorable moment is when Cheggers is lifted through the air complete with fireworks and fire, awesome. Beautiful and elegant, a pure delight for all the young at heart, an evening of childhood nostalgia will warm even the most miserable bah humbugs.
Nutcracker On Ice, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay ,Until 17 Nov,Tickets range from £15-£35 and runs until November 17th. To book call 02920 636464 or go to www.wmc.org.uk