THE NUTCRACKER. Cape Ballet Africa. Staging and choreography: Maina Gielgud. At Artscape Theatre, Cape Town.
SHEILA CHISHOLM reviews
When Cape Ballet Africa (CBA), announced their Autumn season would present the evergreen Christmas ballet – The Nutcracker – there was much chatter around town, wondering how comfortably a Nutcracker could fit into a post-Christmas period.
The answer has proved simple. This well-crafted make-believe version, designed by Maina Gielgud, can fit into any time frame.
Performed by some delightfully trained kiddies, look out for Dr Drosselmeyer (Marcel Meyer) as he brings to life two teeny-weeny angels from their Faberge egg. Then there are the carefully rehearsed older dancers. Costumed in Meyer’s exotic, psychedelic, glitzy costumes, keeping pace with conductor Brandon Phillips’ baton, they left little doubt that Maina Gielgud’s staging and additional choreography added freshness to Lev Ivanov and Marius Petipa’s original 1892 choreography.
The story follows Alexandre Dumas arrangement of ETA Hoffman’s The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. Intending that Drosselmeyer should help the ballet’s narrative flow, Gielgud gives Dr Drosselmeyer, a wider role than normal. Adding a ceremonial cloak to his glittering, sequined velvet suit, Gielgud uses Meyer in every possible scene. He introduces the Christmas dolls – Prince, Sugar Plum, Soldier Doll, King Rat – using mime to weave this fable into a cohesive whole.
Enjoyable and entertaining
Traditionally the ballet opens at Mr and Mrs Stahlbaum’s (Thomas Larchè, Mia Coomber) sumptuous home as they prepare a Christmas party for their daughter Clara (Gia Lipschitz) and (naughty) brother Fritz (Aphiwe November). Here Gielgud introduces staff serving wine, snacks, and looking after guests’ outdoor garments.
While children dance and play, the adults, in late traditional elegant evening and military dress, dance a minuet. Fritz and his pals tease the girls while a comic turn is played out by the elderly arthritic grandfather, supported by his patient wife Leané Theunissen .
Lipschitz as Clara is a highly talented young dancer whose confidence and strong performance made her the evening’s star. Over and above Leané Theunissen’s Snow Queen, Mia Coomber’s well-honed Sugar Plum, and Gabriel Ravenscroft as Coomber’s splendid cavalier, the company produced an enjoyable and entertaining evening.
Appropriate credit goes to Meyer for his unusual costume colour choices; Michael Mitchell’s superb sets; Patrick Curtis’ lighting plots; Roxy Levy as the young dancers’ Répititéur; and Kirsten Isenberg as Senior Répititéur. Those responsible for the outstanding masks and headdresses must also all be commended.
What: The Nutcracker
Where and when: Artscape Opera from 25 February to 1 March 2026
Tickets: Webtickets
Photographs: Paul Seaby
WS
