Review: The Nutcracker, Polka Theatre
Review: The Nutcracker, Polka Theatre
The story of the Nutcracker is a Christmas classic, and it has seen many versions around the world over the years. In the hands of Olivier award-winning Little Bulb and Polka Theatre it is turned on its head into a joyous musical fun fest, which manages that perfect balance of entertainment for the kids but plenty of jokes for their accompanying adults.
It’s Christmas Eve and all is not well. We see Dad and his two kids moving into a new house but it’s a stressful occasion. The children’s mother has died. The house is dirty and rodent-infested. Flamboyant Aunty Drosselmeyer arrives and gives squabbling siblings Clara and Fritz a nutcracker toy. There’s also a magnificent Vacherin Mont d’Or cheese for the dad, which he says, he will share for Christmas in memory of his kind-hearted late wife.
But the dastardly Mouse King has other ideas. We’re then plunged into a fast-paced romp, which is just genius in its ideas. I don’t want to give too much away but there’s imaginative puppetry, some really dark humour that the adults will love, a giant poo, and plenty of Christmas songs.
The Mouse King (resplendent in white Y-fronts, crown and gown) is one of the best characters in a children’s play I’ve seen anywhere, brilliantly played by Clare Beresford (who is also co-director of Little Bulb Theatre) sneering her way across the stage and then belting out songs with the most incredible voice – Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s The Power of Love reimagined as the Power of Hate is a particular highlight.
It’s aimed at five to 12-year-olds. I took my seven-year-old godson, who loved it.
This is a festive must-see. It’s still making me smile now.
Performances
Saturday 16 November 2024 – Sunday 26 January 2025. Relaxed, audio described, captioned and BSL Interpreted performances available.
Photos: Steve Gregson
Listen to our interview with the Polka Theatre on Spotify now. Time & Leisure Social.
