Brought together in partnership with the sun newspaper, this was an audience of eager, excited and not a little overawed people who watched this. Performed by the australian ballet, peter wright s production of the nutcracker is considered the worlds most beautiful. In 1959 he was appointed ballet master to the sadlers wells opera and teacher at the royal ballet school. Choreographer peter wright reflects what makes his classic royal ballet production of the nutcracker so magical, more than three decades. His royal ballet productions of the nutcracker and giselle are among the most popular works in the companys repertory. Peter wright s timeless and enchanting interpretation of the nutcracker has been in the royal ballet s repertory for over thirty years. Go behind the scenes with our props and stage crew and watch the australian ballets technical. Sarasota ballet presents sir peter wrights giselle with the. Coryphee corey herbert explains why theres no traditional nutcracker as magical as peter wrights, and what makes it the mustsee family. Celebrating the birmingham royal ballet peter wright. Nutcrackers come and nutcrackers go but the royal ballets version is a hardy perennial.
Although the set design and most of the costumes are remarkably like the later royal ballet peter wright productions, 2001 and 2009 many tiny details are different. Sir peter wright, cbe born 25 november 1926 is a british ballet teacher, choreographer. Royal opera house, london a judicious blend of magic and realism allows the dancers in peter wrights production maximum expressive licence. This is all the more so when you have a clara and a hans peter nutcracker of the calibre of francesca hayward and alexander campbell.
The magic will only multiply as the months approach christmas. Wright made his debut as a dancer with ballets jooss during world war ii. Brought together in partnership with the sun newspaper, this was an audience of eager, excited and not a little overawed people who watched this great. This is all the more so when you have a clara and a hans peter nutcracker of the calibre of francesca hayward and. Sir peter wrights conversation is peppered with the word wonderful. The ballet was first performed by the australian ballet in 2007. Last night the royal ballet dedicated the performance of the nutcracker to its choreographer sir peter wright who tomorrow, 25 november,celebrates his 90th birthday. Dec 03, 2018 peter wright s interpretation of the nutcracker has been enchanting children and adults alike since its first performance by the royal ballet in 1984. Nutcracker the story of clara, by graeme murphy, 2009, the australian ballet. Coryphee corey herbert explains why theres no traditional nutcracker as magical as peter wright.
The production was wrights gift to the city of birmingham for. The nutcracker tchaikovsky, peter wright, irek mukhamedov. United kingdom tchaikovsky, the nutcracker choreography by peter wright. The nutcracker sets, costumes and magic the australian. Staged 2018 by christopher carr at the royal opera house. It was first performed in at the marinsky theatre in st petersburg in 1892. Tis the season for the birmingham royal ballet s unmatchable production of the nutcracker to grace the boards of the stage at the birmingham hippodrome. While the production design is quite elaborate, much of the action is staged in a simpler manner than in wright s later versions.
Oct 16, 2014 peter wrights the nutcracker is famous for its gorgeous costumes, theatrical sets and spectacular props. Sir peter wrights nutcracker returns to the royal ballet bachtrack. Tomorrow afternoon, birmingham royal ballet will dance a matinee of the nutcracker. Biography choreographer and director peter wright is one of the most eminent names in ballet. Miyako yoshida and steven mcrae as the sugar plum fairy and her cavalier in a production of the nutcracker by peter wright for the royal ballet 2009. Nov 24, 2016 nutcrackers come and nutcrackers go but the royal ballets version is a hardy perennial. This article first appeared in the australian ballets program for its 2014 season of sir peter wrights nutcracker in melbourne and sydney. Dec 17, 2011 the royal ballets current production was created in 1984 by sir peter wright, the choreographer also responsible for productions of the sleeping beauty, swan lake and coppelia, and remains. And theres no traditional nutcracker as magical as peter wright s. The nutcracker, birmingham royal ballet, photos by dasa wharton. Sir peter wright, the grand old man of british ballet celebrates his 90th birthday this was a fine performance of the nutcracker lauren cuthbertson and federico bonelli make for a handsome couple and are well suited to each other both physically and temperamentally the company did sir peter proud at this performance. See more ideas about ballet, ballet costumes and dancer.
Tchaikovskys ravishing score, the period designs including an ingenious christmas, and outstanding principals of the royal ballet make for a. The royal ballet the nutcracker london, royal opera house 4 december 20 gallery of pictures by dave morgan uk. Theres nothing like a traditional nutcracker to get you in the mood for the. In 1969, he joined the royal ballet as associate to the directors, before becoming associate director. Dec 24, 2003 revised by sir peter wright with sets designed by julia trevelyan oman, the new royal ballet production features an acclaimed cast, including ivan putrov as the nutcracker, alina cojocaru as clara. Peter wrights the nutcracker returns to the royal ballet so. The royal ballet celebrates peter wright s 90th birthday with his glorious production of this beautiful ballet. The royal ballet the nutcracker peter wrights 90th. Jun 17, 2016 sir peter wright memoir reveals monster feuds of ballet greats. The nutcracker from the royal ballet introduction great. All the delights of a traditional nutcracker the christmas tree that grows to towering heights, the flying goose, the sugar plum fairy, the dancing rats, the sweets are gloriously.
The ideal first ballet, peter wrights the nutcracker is both the perfect family treat and a pleasure for adults. The nutcracker plays at state theatre, arts centre melbourne until 28 september 2019. The magical tale is wonderful played with fantastic clarity and the sets and costumes are sumptuous without being overly ostentatious. Much will depend on individual purchasers responses to the overall concepts of the dutch setting and the use of a magic lantern as a sort of time. Sir peter wright s conversation is peppered with the word wonderful. The royal ballet francesca hayward and alexander campbell in peter wright s the nutcracker by courtesy of the roh ballet west nutcracker costumes ballet costumes dance costumes ballet kids ballet tutu ballet books peach costume christmas shows ballet photography.
Peter wrights the nutcracker returns to the royal ballet. His most successful production is the nutcracker, which in 2009 celebrates its 25th anniversary, and is set to be shown in hidef in selected u. The artistic director of birmingham royal ballet has created a goldstandard production of this beloved party piece, remaining faithful to the feel of the 19thcentury original. And theres no traditional nutcracker as magical as peter wrights the artistic director of birmingham royal ballet has created a goldstandard production of this beloved party piece, remaining faithful to the feel of the 19thcentury original.
Sir peter wright, cbe born 25 november 1926 is a british ballet teacher, choreographer, director and former professional dancer. This alltime ballet favorite is gloriously put on stage in peter wright s production, with choreography by lev ivanov. Royal opera house, london a judicious blend of magic and realism allows the dancers in peter wright s production maximum expressive licence. Hes cracked it why the ballet world is nuts for peter. Clara, a ballet student, is celebrating at a christmas eve party. The nutcracker sets, costumes and magic the australian ballet. Peter wright s version of the nutcracker is a wonderfully lavish production and an absolute delight for all viewers.
Lev ivanovs 1892 ballet combined with tchaikovskys sumptuous, iconic score are presented in a festive period setting with vivid designs to make this a charming and magical production. Stars gary avis herr drosselmeyer, anna rose osullivan clara, m. Dec 23, 2015 but thats the case with peter wrights nutcracker for birmingham royal ballet brb and to celebrate its continued greatness the company brought together sir peter and others connected with that first season to reminisce about the production and the early days of the company. Sir peter wrights enchanting vision of the nutcracker continues to delight. Dec 05, 2009 a revival of peter wright s production of the nutcracker. This article first appeared in the australian ballet s program for its 2014 season of sir peter wright s nutcracker in melbourne and sydney. The original ballet was created by marius petipa and lev inavov with an original music score composed by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky. For 2019, the contestants were the australian ballet s production of peter wright s nutcracker, the royal opera houses 2016 nutcracker, the mariinskys 2012 nutcracker, the czech national ballet s 2017 the nutcracker and the cuddly mouse and the opernhaus zurichs 2018 the nutcracker. Peter wrights version of lev ivanovs original 1892 ballet has.
The battle of the nutcrackers returns to ovation tv. In 1985, sir peter wright staged a new production for the royal ballet that was partially inspired by hoffmanns original story and the notation scores by. John macfarlanes ravishing design moves from a richly crimson edwardian home to the sparkling land of snow to the vivid land of sweets in a series of breathtaking transformations with costumes to match. Hes cracked it why the ballet world is nuts for peter wright. Go behind the scenes with our props and stage crew and watch the australian ballets technical staff play show and tell with the nutcrackers spectacular sets and props. Thanks to the generosity of lady helen hamlyn, first night of the royal ballet s peerless peter wright production of the nutcracker was given over to an audience who had never been to covent garden before. He worked as a choreographer and as the artistic director of birmingham royal ballet, a classical ballet company based in birmingham, england. Revised by sir peter wright with sets designed by julia trevelyan oman, the new royal ballet production features an acclaimed cast, including ivan putrov as the nutcracker. A revival of peter wright s production of the nutcracker. Peter wrights version of lev ivanovs original 1892 ballet has undergone changes since its debut in. The royal ballet s production and interpretation of the story was created by sir peter wright and premiered at the royal opera house in 1984. Some more of the most famous productions that are still danced today include rudolf nureyevs 1963 revival for the royal ballet, which he later revived in 1988 for the paris opera ballet. Not just any old nutcracker, mind, but the 500th performance of sir peter wright s bespoke production. Nutcrackerthe story of clara, by graeme murphy, 2009, the australian ballet.
Not just any old nutcracker, mind, but the 500th performance of sir peter wrights bespoke production. The royal ballet describes his productions of the nutcracker and giselle as among. It would need a very hard heart not to be warmed by sir peter wrights sparkling production of the nutcracker for the royal ballet and it was especially heartening to see this nonagenarian in the audience to celebrate another years opening of one of his most enduring achievements. Peter wright s the nutcracker is famous for its gorgeous costumes, theatrical sets and spectacular props. Sep 29, 2017 this performance celebrated peter wrights 90th birthday and a production that has been in the royal ballet repertory for more than thirty years. Peter wright interview as brb takes its nutcracker to the o2, mark monahan meets the shows veteran producer, peter wright. It is everything and more from our cosiest winter dreams. Coupled with tchaikovskys score,its a magical experience for the whole family. Nutcracker birmingham royal ballet dvd used very good. The original linear choreography created by lev ivanov 1892 has been employed, when applicable, by peter wright, artistic director of the sadlers wells royal ballet, whose researches within dance archives revealed a large amount of material that is used here for the staging methods of the piece, while additionally providing attendant and highly creative movements that often focus upon comedic. Sir peter wright memoir reveals monster feuds of ballet. Its nutcracker season again, and on last mondays opening night the royal ballet demonstrated that in peter wrights production, created in. The royal ballet francesca hayward and alexander campbell in peter wright s the nutcracker by courtesy of the roh.
Dec 27, 2016 sir peter wright is a living legend, celebrated as the founder of birmingham royal ballet and for his muchloved productions of such classics as the nutcracker and giselle. Nutcracker the story of clara, by graeme murphy, 2000, the australian ballet. The royal ballet s glorious production of the nutcracker, created by peter wright in1984, is the production par excellence of an alltime ballet favourite. Jul 29, 2014 peter wrights production of the nutcracker is considered the worlds most beautiful, and coupled with tchaikovskys beloved score, it truly is a magical experience for the whole family. In 1969, wright returned to the royal ballet as a member of the artistic staff, later being promoted to the post of associate director, working in partnership with sir kenneth macmillan. On retiring from the company in 1995, he was bestowed the honorary title of director laureate of the company. Nov 24, 2016 wright is a major figure in british ballet. Peter wright s the nutcracker the australian ballet an ovation tv premiere airing monday, december 11 at 7. Oct 28, 2009 in a season when many ballet companies face tight budgets and are cutting live music, the sarasota ballet is presenting sir peter wright s giselle starring alina cojocaru and johan kobborg with live orchestra in four performances, november 2729 in sarasota, florida. The wonderful life of sir peter wright valerie lawson. It would need a very hard heart not to be warmed by sir peter wright s sparkling production of the nutcracker for the royal ballet and it was especially heartening to see this nonagenarian in the audience to celebrate another years opening of one of his most enduring achievements.
Peter wright made his debut as a professional dancer with the ballets jooss during world war ii and in the 1950s worked with several dance companies, including the sadlers wells theatre ballet, for which he created his first ballet, a blue rose, in 1957. Thanks to the generosity of lady helen hamlyn, first night of the royal ballets peerless peter wright production of the nutcracker was given over to an audience who had never been to covent garden before. Peter wrights the nutcracker returns to the royal ballet so it is officially christmas 06122017 united kingdom tchaikovsky, the nutcracker choreography by peter wright. Peter wrights interpretation of the nutcracker has been enchanting children and adults alike since its first performance by the royal ballet in 1984. Broadcast to cineworld basildon from the royal opera house, covent garden. Music by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky to a libretto by ernst theodor amadeus hoffmann and marius petipa. Experience the magic behind peter wrights the nutcracker. The birmingham hippodromes prepanto seasonal family treat an established tradition since 1990, when the city proudly acquired its resident ballet company, the birmingham royal is peter wrights magical and majestic production of tchaikovskys the nutcracker. This alltime ballet favourite, in which young clara is swept into a fantasy adventure when one of her christmas presents comes to life, is at its most enchanting in peter wright s glorious production as fresh as ever in its 25th year. It is christmas eve andherr drosselmeyer the magician sweeps young clara away on a fantasy adventure in which timeis suspended, the family livingroom becomes a great battlefield, and a.
Peter wrights the nutcracker returns to the royal ballet so it is. Theres nothing like a traditional nutcracker to get you in the mood for the festive season. Created for birmingham royal ballet and now performed by the australian ballet, peter wright s production of the nutcracker is considered the worlds most beautiful. The birmingham hippodromes prepanto seasonal family treat an established tradition since 1990, when the city proudly acquired its resident ballet company, the birmingham royal is peter wright s magical and majestic production of tchaikovskys the nutcracker. Peter wright s the nutcracker the australian ballet. Peter wright stage crew australian ballet show and tell character inspiration behind the scenes rest magic play experience the magic behind peter wrights the nutcracker. The royal ballet celebrates peter wrights 90th birthday. His other production for the royal ballet, giselle, is another of the most popular works that the company. Based on the 1816 short story by eta hoffmann the nutcracker and the mouse king. The nutcracker plays at adelaide festival centre 812 october 2019. They dont do pantomime of course, this is as near as they get in the royal opera house. The magician, drosselmeyer, gives her a nutcracker doll and when the clock strikes twelve, dreams and magic are unleashed as the. His production of the christmas favourite is the most performed production that the company has in its repertoire. Nutcrackerthe story of clara, by graeme murphy, 2000, the australian ballet.
With miyako yoshida, steven mcrae, gary avis, iohna loots. Peter wright s choreography of tchaikovskys ballet score is very familyfriendly, theres a live television relay worldwide of tonights performance and showings on. This years royal ballet nutcracker, in the iconic production choreographed by peter wright was broadcast live on 16 december to around 2,000 cinemas around the. The australian ballet presents peter wrights the nutcracker in 2019. Four ballet pros share their nutcracker resumes dance spirit. With lesley collier, anthony dowell, michael coleman, julie rose. Dec 10, 2017 the nutcracker, birmingham royal ballet, photos by dasa wharton. Choreographer and director peter wright is one of the most eminent names in ballet. The wonderful life of sir peter wright valerie lawsons. Peter wrights version of the nutcracker is a wonderfully lavish production and an absolute delight for all viewers.