Storytime Ballet: The Nutcracker

It is Christmas Eve, and the Stahlbaums are having a marvellous party. Drosselmeyer the Magician amazes everyone with his magical dolls, who come to life and dance for the guests. At the end of the party Drosselmeyer hands out presents for all the children, including a Nutcracker doll for Clara, the daughter of the house. That night, Clara creeps downstairs to check on her precious gift. As midnight strikes, magic is unloosed and the Nutcracker comes alive to fight with the Rat King. Clara saves him by hitting the King with her slipper – and the Nutcracker is transformed into a handsome prince. The Prince takes Clara to the Kingdom of Sweets, where the grateful inhabitants, led by the Sugar Plum Fairy, perform a series of delicious dances to delight Clara. Afterwards, the Prince whisks Clara home and she wakes up at the foot of the Christmas tree – but was it really all a dream?