★★★★
Northern Ballet have returned to Leeds Grand Theatre for yet another very exciting winter season! Filled to the brim with cosy, festive magic, we’re welcoming back David Nixon CBE’s The Nutcracker with open arms.
Following last year’s witty and highly acclaimed run of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, ‘Christmas isn’t complete until you’ve experienced the magic of Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker.’ Filled with confidence, and rightfully so, December’s string of performances have begun with a bang. Met with standing ovations, it’s safe to say that Christmas has finally arrived.
Even for those familiar with the imaginative tale behind The Nutcracker, Northern Ballet’s artistry has an undeniable way of orchestrating movement to tell this iconic and wonderful story. The production creates a strong sense of narrative flow, humour, and delightful festive energy, bringing any audience a sense of inner warmth and emotion, the perfect feeling to kick off the festive season.
Rachael Gillespie is this year’s opening night Clara, and she is as stunning and delightful as she has been in the years prior. Impressively and undeniably one of Northern Ballet’s dancers to watch, Gillespie brings a palpable, wholesome energy to the stage. Radiating passion, love, and childlike wonder in her portrayal of Clara, she brings her tale of whimsical and dreamy travels to life. Rachael truly couldn’t be any better, and it was her pairing with the youthful and playful Nutcracker Prince, Harris Beattie, that propels this exciting rendition of The Nutcracker to new heights. Together, Gillespie and Beattie are a staple of the company, sharing a natural and palpable chemistry on stage that brings an impressive balance of innocence and charm to life.
Harris as the Nutcracker Prince is dreamy, sickly-sweet, and noble, bringing a Disney-prince-like air to the character. His performances shine both in and outside of The Nutcracker, with previously notable roles in 2025 including Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, and Bob Cratchit in last winter’s run of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. His performances are effortless and consistently engaging.
The Waltz of the Snowflakes, one of The Nutcracker’s most memorable and key standout scenes, as well as one of Tchaikovsky’s most iconic tracks, falls just before the end of the first half. Set designer Charles Cusick Smith and Northern Ballet’s dance repertoire work flawlessly hand in hand to make the scene come to life, with glittering snowfall and a wintery embrace plunging the audience into an impressive and immersive winter scene.
This visual spectacle is a constant throughout Northern Ballet’s productions, with arguably this year’s most impressive and iconic moment being The Waltz of the Flowers. Working side by side with this year’s Sugar Plum Fairy, Saeka Shirai, the scene truly shines. Every moment Shirai is on stage feels elevated, as she taps into a youthful, energetic, and almost ‘doll-like’ quality, a perfect combination of precision and playfulness amongst the delicate flowers.
Side by side with the Cavalier, Jonathan Hanks, the Sugar Plum Fairy’s Pas de Deux is refined and romantic. Impressive lifts and an intimate sense of trust and passion allows the choreography to shine, making the pairing a highlight of the second act. It’s easy to understand why The Sugar Plum Fairy is such a staple character of The Nutcracker’s world-renowned recognition.
With an approximate two-hour runtime, accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s enduring score played live, The Nutcracker remains immersive from start to finish. The value of a live score cannot be underestimated, and praises for Northern Ballet would not be complete without acknowledging the Sinfonia as a key part of their magical and emotional performance. Witnessing Tchaikovsky’s iconic score played live is an experience not to be missed.
The closing variation felt elevated and impactful, leaving the audience with a lasting sense of festive warmth. The Nutcracker awakens childlike imagination within us all, and Northern Ballet’s artistry didn’t just end on the stage, it followed us into the audience.
Northern Ballet’s 2025 run of The Nutcracker will be performed at Leeds Grand Theatre until 4 January. Don’t miss the most magical night of the season, grab tickets whilst you can!
Words by Mia Stapleton
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