But students wanted to dance the classic and after much research into the original Tchaikovsky story, Rosenberg said she designed a version of the production that speaks to the intent of the composer and offers much more depth for many of the characters.

Natalie Turner joins the cast as Mrs Stahlbaum, and Sarah-Faith Brown brings a sparkle of magic as the Sugar Plum Fairy, all having starred in Christmas shows and musicals across the UK. This energetic trio were loud – both in their movement and costume – creating the ideal contrast to the more delicate performances we had seen so far. Though Ivanov’s style of dance differed from Petipa, it was hardly noticeable as Petipa left strict guidelines for Ivanov to follow. More than 50 dancers will bring the classic story to life this weekend in Anaheim before taking their production on its annual tour to Nevada where they appear at Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort. Drosselmeyer is based on the character of the same name from the original story by E. T. A. Hoffmann and the ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.It is not confirmed, but it is implied that he had an owl, who travelled to the Four Realms to take care of Clara.

Although it is believed that technically the team work well together and that the composer appreciated the famous choreographer’s work, there were issues over transforming Tchaikovsky’s complicated score for the stage. A notable mention has to be given here to Beatrice Parma, whose performance as Clara was captivating, an opinion I think was also shared by the man sitting next to me who uttered a "wow" under his breath after her dance with the prince. Initially Tchaikovsky was not attracted to the story but he became more reconciled to it as he progressed. Eventually, he preferred it to his opera Yolanta.

The full ballet was unknown in the West until a production was staged at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London, on 30th January 1934, with Alicia Markova and Stanley Judson (followed in 1937 by Margot Fonteyn and Robert Helpmann). Since 1944 it has become a universal favourite, especially at Christmas time. The show features children who are part of the Anaheim Ballet School, seasonal dancers with the ballet company and even an 81-year-old who for years has played the grandfather in the party scene. As the orchestra started to play, the curtain still down, silence fell upon the busy theatre, the audience shuffling in their seats in anticipation of what was to come.

Leading the cast is leading international musical actor Kurt Kansley, who plays genius inventor Drosselmeyer. Kurt has been seen and heard in many musicals across the world, such as Guys and Dolls, Miss Saigon and The Lion King, and most recently as Che in Hal Prince’s production of Evita at Sydney Opera House.But it was the performance accompanying Tchaikovsky's "Waltz of the Flowers" in Act II that received the biggest applause of the night, as dancers donned in beautiful pink, sparkling dresses drifted across the stage in total unison – not a step out of place. The Snow Fairy leapt onto the stage of the Birmingham Hippodrome After the triumph of Sleeping Beauty, the director of the Imperial Theatres, Ivan Aleksandrovich Vsevolozhskiy, invited Tchaikovsky to compose a double-bill consisting of a one-act opera and a two-act ballet. The dynamic duo will victoriously fight the evil Mouse Queen and her minions to then journey through the Land of Sweets encountering characters from a myriad of countries including the novel, patriotic American! You won’t want to miss this incredible show and fundraiser. Safe Haven Ballet is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit that exists to serve the community with free trauma-sensitive ballet, art and movement classes for survivors of sexual assault and trauma. The spirit of Tchaikovsky once again came alive at the Hippodrome on Friday night as hundreds turned out to watch Birmingham Royal Ballet's sparkling rendition of the classic show.