Watch: How dancers learn the iconic role of The Nutcracker's Sugar Plum Fairy

Former Royal Ballet Principal Lesley Collier has been coaching Sarah Lamb and Steven McRae through the ballet's showcase duet.
Clara is given an enchanted Nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve. As midnight strikes, she creeps downstairs to find a magical adventure awaiting her and her Nutcracker.
Peter Wright's interpretation of The Nutcracker has been enchanting children and adults alike since its first performance by The Royal Ballet in 1984. Lev Ivanov's 1892 ballet combined with Tchaikovsky's sumptuous, iconic score are presented in a festive period setting with vivid designs to make this a charming and magical production.
Choreography
Peter Wright after Lev Ivanov
Music
Original scenario
Production and scenario
Designer
Lighting designer
Production consultant
Digital Programmes bring together a range of specially selected films, audio clips, pictures, articles, features, news and information, as well as exclusives and updates, and highlights from the Royal Opera House website, YouTube, SoundCloud and Flickr pages. Features are added as the performances approach, to enhance your experience of a production.
Cast sheets are available as PDFs
Former Royal Ballet Principal Lesley Collier has been coaching Sarah Lamb and Steven McRae through the ballet's showcase duet.
Audience responses to The Royal Ballet's Christmas classic.
The choreographer reflects what makes his classic Royal Ballet production so magical, more than three decades after its premiere.
To find out more visit the The Nutcracker production page.