Christmas magic for the whole family — Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker ballet at the Broadway Theatre in the heart of Prague.
The Nutcracker is the most famous Christmas ballet of them all. Based on E. T. A. Hoffmann's fairy tale, it tells a story full of adventure, love and Christmas magic — danced by a chamber cast of soloists from leading Czech ballet companies, in a modern staging that delights children and adults alike.
The Broadway Theatre stands in the Broadway Palace on Na Příkopě, midway between Old Town Square and Republic Square. Rebuilt in 2001 as a modern three-storey theatre, today it hosts musicals, ballet and concerts in the very centre of Prague.
Composer
P. I. Tchaikovsky
Performed by
Top dancers — soloists of leading Czech ballet companies (chamber cast).
Direction and choreography: Alexander Kysil
Stage designer: Martin Cerny
Costume designers: Helena Chlupata and Jana Chamlarova
Nutcracker: Michal Kováč, Alexey Yurakov
Clara: Monika Mašterová, Maria Gornalova
Uncle Drosselmeyer: Milan Boček, Michal Holánek
Important Information
The music is played from a recording.
Duration: 105 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission
Dress code: casual
Category VIP and A - assigned seating
Category B and C - open seating (seats are not assigned)
Story
Act One
The story begins on Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaum family's home, where Herr and Frau Stahlbaum are hosting a big Christmas party. Their children, Clara and Fritz, greet the guests and dance along to the festive music. Much to the children's joy, their godfather Drosselmeyer arrives at the party. An expert toy maker, he presents life-sized wind-up dolls as entertainment, and the guests applaud his latest creation. Drosselmeyer gives the children special gifts — in particular a wooden Nutcracker doll for Clara. Fritz, jealous that Clara's present is better than his, breaks the doll in anger; Drosselmeyer consoles Clara and fixes the Nutcracker for her. At the end of the party the guests leave, and Clara and Fritz are put to bed. But Clara is worried about her gift and sneaks down to the Christmas tree to see her Nutcracker. The clock strikes midnight, and Clara is startled to see mice running around the room. As her Nutcracker grows life-sized, he summons an army of gingerbread soldiers to fight the mice and the Mouse King. Tin soldiers and other dolls join the Nutcracker in battle, attending to the wounded and fighting the Mouse King's troops. The Nutcracker's army is outnumbered and begins to lose. The Nutcracker is wounded and the Mouse King advances on him — but Clara takes off her slipper and throws it at the Mouse King, enabling the Nutcracker to defeat him. The mice retreat with the body of their king, and the Nutcracker is transformed into a real Prince. He takes Clara by the hand and leads her through a pine forest amid dancing snowflakes.
Act Two
The Prince takes Clara to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Land of Sweets, where they recount how the Mouse King was defeated. In celebration, the Sugar Plum Fairy summons Spanish chocolate, Arabian coffee, Chinese tea and other delicacies to dance for the Prince and Clara. At the end, the Sugar Plum Fairy dances with the Prince, and as they perform the final waltz, the Prince and Clara are crowned rulers of the kingdom. Clara then awakens in her bed on Christmas morning, clutching her wooden Nutcracker.