ACT I
It is Christmas Eve, and Herr and Frau Silberhaus are hosting a grand party. As the Maid prepares for the guest, Clara and her brother Fritz eagerly awaits their arrival. Clara's friends arrive, followed by the parents and other children. The festivities have begun! Fritz, a mischievous boy, loves to tease his sister and leads the other children in games.
Suddenly, an imposing figure wearing an eye patch enters! It is Herr Drosselmeyer, the children's godfather. He brought his handsome young nephew to the party with him and together they charm the guests. Herr Drosselmeyer has brought many tricks and gifts for the children, including life-size mechanical dolls. Fritz, envious of the attention that Clara is getting, steals the Nutcracker and breaks it! Herr Drosselmeyer comes to the rescue with the help of his nephew and a bag of magic tricks. The Nutcracker doll is restored and returned to Clara for the safekeeping. The marvellous party comes to a rousing finale as the parents entertain the children with a beautiful dance.
Clara, exhausted from the evening's festivities, falls fast asleep. Soon, visions of Sugar Plums and dancing dolls from around the world fill her dreams. She is awakened by a mysterious noise and runs down the stairs to find that Herr Drosselmeyer's nephew has turned into a handsome prince! The Nutcracker Prince and his toy soldier army wage a furious battle against the rats and mice. Just as the Rat Queen is about to overpower the Nutcracker, the brave and resourceful Clara attacks the Rat Queen herself and evil is vanquished!
Clara is amazed to discover that her Nutcracker Prince looks much like Herr Drosselmeyer's handsome nephew. He guides her into a snowy night and enchanted forest, where they are greeted by the beautiful Snow Queens, and all the Snow Flakes. The magical, swirling snow whisks Clara and her Prince off to the Land of Sweets.
ACT II
At the entrance to the Land of Sweets, Christmas Tree Angels greet Clara and the Nutcracker Prince. The Sugar Plum Fairy welcomes Clara to the Enchanted Kingdom. The Prince re-enacts his battle with the Rat King to show her how brave Clara has been. As a reward, the Sugar Plum Fairy treats Clara and her Prince to a grand celebration of Spanish Hot Chocolate, Arabian Coffee, Chinese Tea, Russian Trepak, French Marzipan and Mother ginger and her little clowns. The Nutcracker Prince also dances in her honour. The Sugar Plum's garden joins the party, as Dew Drop leads her flowers and bumblebees in a lilting waltz. Finally, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier crown the festivities with a glorious pas de deux.
As the entire kingdom celebrates, Clara awakens to find that it was all a
dream...........or was it?
