The Vietnamese version, entitled The Nutcraker - Wonder Dream, aims to promote one of the most popular ballets in the world during the Christmas season. Photo courtesy of the organiser
HÀ NỘI — The ballet is being staged by veteran dancer Lưu Thu Lan based on Philippe Cohen’s choreography to tell the dreams of a young Vietnamese on Christmas Eve.
The Vietnamese version, entitled The Nutcraker - Wonder Dream, aims to promote one of the most popular ballets in the world during the Christmas season. The show will combine classic ballet, Vietnamese folk dance and other dances from various countries.
"A flexible crossover between western ballet and Vietnamese folk dance featuring a harmony between western and the eastern cultures will amaze audiences," said Lan.
The Nutcracker premiered at the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre in St Peterburg in 1892. After the success of The Sleeping Beauty ballet, composer Tchaikovsky was commissioned to write The Nutcracker.
126 years since that the historic opening night, The Nutcracker is still regarded as Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece.
The VNOB performed The Nutcracker in 2016 but in a short version. The Nutcracker - Wonder Dream features a young girl named Quỳnh Lan who will take the audience to a land without borders where there is no culture distinction.
"I’m excited to dance in the Vietnamese version The Nutcracker - Wonder Dream which has many new things," said solo dancer Thu Huệ, who plays Quỳnh Lan. "Portraying the main role in The Nutcrackeris an aspiration of many ballerinas."
"We all know and love the story of The Nutcracker and the young woman who ventures into her wonderland. I hope the theatre will be full of people who will not want the show to end."
The Nutcracker - Wonder Dream will also feature Meritorious Artist dancer Đàm Hàn Giang and dancer Văn Nam. Conductor Đồng Quang Vinh will lead a 60-member orchestra to accompany the dancers. Vinh has been invited to conduct The Nutcracker thanks to his successful work in the short version of The Nutcracker with the VNOB in 2016.
The ballet will begin at 8pm on December 5 & 6. Tickets cost from VNĐ300,000 (US$13) to VND700,000. — VNS
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