Queensland Ballet started its 10th-anniversary season of The Nutcracker by adding a second milestone – passing 150,000 attendances. The sustained support for the annual Christmas tradition established by Artistic Director Li Cunxin has ensured an ongoing supply of new audiences for the company’s repertoire.

Chiara Gonzalez and Alexander Idaszak in The Nutcracker, Queensland Ballet, 2022. Photo © David Kelly

The family classic is the perfect introductory ballet for children. It combines all of ballet’s most immediately appealing elements and best of all, they can directly identify with the characters (and junior performers) at the centre of the yuletide fantasy adventure.

Thankfully, Ben Stevenson’s production doesn’t forget about the grown-ups accompanying youngsters.

If last year’s vibrant presentation felt particularly triumphant as we emerged from the most oppressive COVID policies, 2022’s move from the Lyric to the cosier informality of the Playhouse seemed to reflect a lighter mood and relaxed yet upbeat interplay between audience and cast. The shared energy was joyous.

Act I’s Christmas Eve party is a popper packed with business and comic antics, so that that even after a decade one can still make new discoveries by shifting focus.

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