A tough nut to crack

The Nutcracker

Gaiety Theatre

***

Anyone with children knows what a driving force they can be. They also offer an anchor to real priorities when things start going awry.

In Ballet Ireland's The Nutcracker, the children, particularly Ryoko Yaguya as Clara, moored the production anytime it veered away from its steady course. The cast looked confident in the choreography, bedecked in elegant costumes against simple scenery and Zia Holly's intriguing lighting. But dancing to live orchestral music – a welcome first for this 15-year-old ballet company – brought to life some growing pains that will hopefully ease over time.

The party scene in Act I progressed smoothly, though slowly. Clara and Fritz (a delightful Yonas Meshaima) dutifully opened presents, showed their appreciation, and taunted each other like any normal brother and sister amid this ideal ensemble-sized cast. The fun and games lasted until Fritz pulled the head off Clara’s prized wooden Nutcracker doll.

A push-pull began between them, but also between the more complicated steps and the music. What started as a unified feeling between movement and sound became more disjointed. The pleasant reality of opening presents during the party scene never quite transformed into the magical euphoria of being transported to the Kingdom of Sweets, and without that lift, the divertissements in Act II looked more leaden than light.

Yaguya's Clara provided the exception, floating and skimming across the stage as if she hadn't a care in the world. The Supertones children's choir provided another buoyant addition, accompanying a glorious snow scene, with David Brophy conducting the RTÉ Concert Orchestra throughout.

A regal Emma Lister as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Dominic Harrison as her cavalier approached their pas de deux with admirable concentration, and an outstanding trio of men danced among the Waltz of the Flowers, but Yaguya's girlish enthusiasm kept the evening's momentum afloat.

Until Sunday, then tours