«The Nutcracker» at Astana Ballet (Children’s Performance)

The performance is based on the famous German fairy tale by E.T.A. Hoffmann, retold by Alexandre Dumas, about a doll and the Mouse King. The ballet has gained worldwide fame and become a timeless symbol of the New Year season.

There are many interpretations of The Nutcracker, yet it is Vasili Vainonen’s version that continues to be staged at leading theatres around the world — above all, at its home stage, the Mariinsky Theatre. The choreographer premiered the ballet in St. Petersburg, with legendary dancers Galina Ulanova and Konstantin Sergeyev performing the principal roles. Ballet historians note the enchanting, fairy-tale lightness of this production, which combines exquisite stage design, romantic characters, dazzling costumes, and, of course, brilliant choreography. It is often described as a ballet-féerie, a true ballet-fairytale.

Astana Ballet’s Nutcracker is remarkable for bringing together professional artists of the Theatre and students of the Kazakh National Academy of Choreography, in a production choreographed by Vasili Vainonen and staged by People’s Artist of Russia Altynai Asylmuratova.