English National Ballet Announces Christmas Season at the Coliseum

English National Ballet celebrates Tamara Rojo's first season as Artistic Director with an exquisite production of The Nutcracker, and the timeless fairytale, The Sleeping Beauty at the Coliseum this Christmas.

The Nutcracker

22 – 25 November Southampton Mayflower
12 December 2012 - 5 January 2013 London Coliseum

Following last year's most successful Christmas Season, English National Ballet returns to the West End with its traditional retelling of The Nutcracker.

Set in a world of frosty Edwardian elegance designed by Peter Farmer, this captivating production takes audiences on an enchanting journey with Clara, her Nutcracker doll and the magician Drosselmeyer. In costumes shimmering with Swarovski Crystallised elements English National Ballet's dancers bring to life Tchaikovsky's eternally popular score which features the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Waltz of the Flowers and many other familiar favourites. Swarovski have generously supportEd English National Ballet since 2007.

This Nutcracker, choreographed by Wayne Eagling received its world Premiere in 2010, when it was enjoyed by almost 70,000 people over the Christmas and New Year period.

This is English National Ballet's 11th production of The Nutcracker since it performed its first full length Nutcracker in its founding year of 1950. English National Ballet has established the tradition of performing The Nutcracker every single Christmas since then.

The performance runs for approximately two hours, including one 20-minute interval.

Casting to be announced.

The Sleeping Beauty

17 October – 1 December UK Tour
9 - 19 January 2013 London Coliseum

Choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan, with sumptuous costumes by Georjiadis The Sleeping Beautywill arrive at the London Coliseum after the Autumn Tour.