George Balanchine's version of The Nutcracker, performed by New York City Ballet every year since 1954, comes to the cinema as a filmed ballet screening. Tchaikovsky's familiar melodies carry the story from a Christmas party into a magical world, where a budding romance clashes with mischievous mice, a battalion of toy soldiers and a snowstorm on stage, before arriving at a sweet-filled kingdom.
The production is known for its striking sets and costumes and its visual effects, including a Christmas tree that grows to about 12 metres tall. Its grand finale is lit so brightly that audiences leave with a glow in their eyes. Megan Fairchild, Joaquin De Luz and Ashley Bouder are among the dancers, and the production also features more than 125 children from the School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet.
