The original ballet was created by marius petipa and lev inavov with an original music score composed by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky. With miyako yoshida, steven mcrae, gary avis, iohna loots. The nutcracker plays at state theatre, arts centre melbourne until 28 september 2019. 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. 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. Choreographer peter wright reflects what makes his classic royal ballet production of the nutcracker so magical, more than three decades. Peter wrights version of the nutcracker is a wonderfully lavish production and an absolute delight for all viewers. Peter wrights the nutcracker returns to the royal ballet so it is. 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. This article first appeared in the australian ballets program for its 2014 season of sir peter wrights nutcracker in melbourne and sydney. 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.
The royal ballet s glorious production of the nutcracker, created by peter wright in1984, is the production par excellence of an alltime ballet favourite. Celebrating the birmingham royal ballet peter wright. 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. The royal ballet describes his productions of the nutcracker and giselle as among. The nutcracker sets, costumes and magic the australian ballet. Nutcracker birmingham royal ballet dvd used very good. Dec 10, 2017 the nutcracker, birmingham royal ballet, photos by dasa wharton. The wonderful life of sir peter wright valerie lawson. 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 wright s 90th birthday with his glorious production of this beautiful ballet. Peter wrights version of lev ivanovs original 1892 ballet has undergone changes since its debut in. Peter wright s the nutcracker the australian ballet. 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. It was first performed in at the marinsky theatre in st petersburg in 1892. A revival of peter wright s production of the nutcracker. The nutcracker was the third and final ballet to be composed by peter ilyich tchaikovsky and was the second collaboration between the composer, petipa and ivan vsevolovzhsky. 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.
It is everything and more from our cosiest winter dreams. Music by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky to a libretto by ernst theodor amadeus hoffmann and marius petipa. Created by wright in 1984, its the production par excellence of an alltime favourite its christmas eve and drosselmeyer gary avis the magician sweeps young clara francesca hayward away on a fantastical journey from the family living room to the kingdom of sweets. Broadcast to cineworld basildon from the royal opera house, covent garden. Peter wright s timeless and enchanting interpretation of the nutcracker has been in the royal ballet s repertory for over thirty years. Choreographer peter wright on what makes the nutcracker so. Peter wright s the nutcracker is famous for its gorgeous costumes, theatrical sets and spectacular props. The ballet was first performed by the australian ballet in 2007. Sir peter wright memoir reveals monster feuds of ballet. Go behind the scenes with our props and stage crew and watch the australian ballets technical. 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.
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. Experience the magic behind peter wrights the nutcracker. Nutcrackerthe story of clara, by graeme murphy, 2000, the australian ballet. 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. Peter wright interview as brb takes its nutcracker to the o2, mark monahan meets the shows veteran producer, peter wright. Based on the 1816 short story by eta hoffmann the nutcracker and the mouse king. Sir peter wrights enchanting vision of the nutcracker continues to delight. Peter wrights the nutcracker returns to the royal ballet so. 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. 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.
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. They dont do pantomime of course, this is as near as they get in the royal opera house. In 1959 he was appointed ballet master to the sadlers wells opera and teacher at the royal ballet school. United kingdom tchaikovsky, the nutcracker choreography by peter wright. Coryphee corey herbert explains why theres no traditional nutcracker as magical as peter wright. The wonderful life of sir peter wright valerie lawsons. Hes cracked it why the ballet world is nuts for peter. 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. 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. 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. Nutcracker the story of clara, by graeme murphy, 2000, the australian ballet. 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. Clara, a ballet student, is celebrating at a christmas eve party.
This article first appeared in the australian ballet s program for its 2014 season of sir peter wright s nutcracker in melbourne and sydney. Theres nothing like a traditional nutcracker to get you in the mood for the festive season. Tomorrow afternoon, birmingham royal ballet will dance a matinee of the nutcracker. Theres nothing like a traditional nutcracker to get you in the mood for the. The nutcracker from the royal ballet introduction great. Not just any old nutcracker, mind, but the 500th performance of sir peter wrights bespoke production. Nutcrackers come and nutcrackers go but the royal ballets version is a hardy perennial. The nutcracker, birmingham royal ballet, photos by dasa wharton. There is no better way to welcome the christmas season than with an evening in the company of peter wright s seminal production of the nutcracker at the royal ballet. Peter wright s version of the nutcracker is a wonderfully lavish production and an absolute delight for all viewers. 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. Peter wrights version of lev ivanovs original 1892 ballet has. 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.
Nov 24, 2016 nutcrackers come and nutcrackers go but the royal ballets version is a hardy perennial. 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. Royal opera house, london a judicious blend of magic and realism allows the dancers in peter wright s production maximum expressive licence. 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. 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. The production was wrights gift to the city of birmingham for. The nutcracker sets, costumes and magic the australian. The nutcracker plays at adelaide festival centre 812 october 2019. 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. He worked as a choreographer and as the artistic director of birmingham royal ballet, a classical ballet company based in birmingham, england. Peter wright s choreography of tchaikovskys ballet score is very familyfriendly, theres a live television relay worldwide of tonights performance and showings on. Coryphee corey herbert explains why theres no traditional nutcracker as magical as peter wrights, and what makes it the mustsee family. Staged 2018 by christopher carr at the royal opera house. This is all the more so when you have a clara and a hans peter nutcracker of the calibre of francesca hayward and.
On retiring from the company in 1995, he was bestowed the honorary title of director laureate of the company. 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. His production of the christmas favourite is the most performed production that the company has in its repertoire. 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. 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. 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. With lesley collier, anthony dowell, michael coleman, julie rose. His royal ballet productions of the nutcracker and giselle are among the most popular works in the companys repertory.
Peter wrights the nutcracker returns to the royal ballet so it is officially christmas 06122017 united kingdom tchaikovsky, the nutcracker choreography by peter wright. Biography choreographer and director peter wright is one of the most eminent names in ballet. 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 wrights interpretation of the nutcracker has been enchanting children and adults alike since its first performance by the royal ballet in 1984. Hes cracked it why the ballet world is nuts for peter wright. This alltime ballet favorite is gloriously put on stage in peter wright s production, with choreography by lev ivanov. And theres no traditional nutcracker as magical as peter wright s. 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. 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. Its nutcracker season again, and on last mondays opening night the royal ballet demonstrated that in peter wrights production, created in. Sir peter wright s conversation is peppered with the word wonderful. 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. Nutcracker the story of clara, by graeme murphy, 2009, the australian ballet. The battle of the nutcrackers returns to ovation tv.
The royal ballet celebrates peter wrights 90th birthday. Nutcrackerthe story of clara, by graeme murphy, 2009, the australian ballet. His other production for the royal ballet, giselle, is another of the most popular works that the company. Not just any old nutcracker, mind, but the 500th performance of sir peter wright s bespoke production. 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. The nutcracker tchaikovsky, peter wright, irek mukhamedov. Oct 16, 2014 peter wrights the nutcracker is famous for its gorgeous costumes, theatrical sets and spectacular props.
Nov 24, 2016 wright is a major figure in british ballet. 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. 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. 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, he joined the royal ballet as associate to the directors, before becoming associate director.
Dec 05, 2009 a revival of peter wright s production of the nutcracker. Peter wrights the nutcracker returns to the royal ballet. 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. The royal ballet francesca hayward and alexander campbell in peter wright s the nutcracker by courtesy of the roh.
Sir peter wrights conversation is peppered with the word wonderful. Tchaikovskys ravishing score, the period designs including an ingenious christmas, and outstanding principals of the royal ballet make for a. 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. The australian ballet presents peter wrights the nutcracker in 2019. The magician, drosselmeyer, gives her a nutcracker doll and when the clock strikes twelve, dreams and magic are unleashed as the. Stars gary avis herr drosselmeyer, anna rose osullivan clara, m. The ideal first ballet, peter wrights the nutcracker is both the perfect family treat and a pleasure for adults.
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. Royal opera house, london a judicious blend of magic and realism allows the dancers in peter wrights production maximum expressive licence. Brought together in partnership with the sun newspaper, this was an audience of eager, excited and not a little overawed people who watched this. Coupled with tchaikovskys score,its a magical experience for the whole family. 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. Choreographer and director peter wright is one of the most eminent names in ballet. Peter wright s the nutcracker the australian ballet an ovation tv premiere airing monday, december 11 at 7. The royal ballet the nutcracker london, royal opera house 4 december 20 gallery of pictures by dave morgan uk. 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. Sir peter wright, cbe born 25 november 1926 is a british ballet teacher, choreographer.
Sarasota ballet presents sir peter wrights giselle with the. Wright made his debut as a dancer with ballets jooss during world war ii. Sir peter wright, cbe born 25 november 1926 is a british ballet teacher, choreographer, director and former professional dancer. The royal ballet the nutcracker peter wrights 90th. 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. Performed by the australian ballet, peter wright s production of the nutcracker is considered the worlds most beautiful. While the production design is quite elaborate, much of the action is staged in a simpler manner than in wright s later versions. Sir peter wrights nutcracker returns to the royal ballet bachtrack.