The Nutcracker @ King George's Hall, Blackburn

9:21am Wednesday 28th November 2007

Comments (0)   Have your say »

HAVING never really been to the ballet before I may now have just been bitten by the ballet bug.

And the festive season now feels well and truly upon us as the story opened with a party on Christmas Eve, where a young girl falls asleep and dreams of a magical land where she meets the Nutcracker Prince.

With a Christmas backdrop dancing fairies, toys and presents the audience were buzzing with Christmas cheer and who could blame them with December only around the corner.

Considering that it is based on a Russian ballet that's over 110 years old, it's no surprise that The Nutcracker has seen many different incarnations over the years, both on stage and on screen.

And last night's rendition by the Vienna Festival Ballet did not disappoint with magnificent performances from all, especially the Nutcracker Prince Martin Howland.

He is a dancer who carries himself with all the grace of a swan on stage but admits to being a typical bloke complete with a love for football, beer and women - the reason why he started dancing in the first place - thank God he did is all I can say.

I did wonder what on earth was going on at one point when a bunch of random giant mice began prancing around, but what do I know - I've never been to the ballet before.