See The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker is the ballet most people see first, and for good reason. It has a simple story, music you already half know, and the kind of sets and costumes that make an ordinary December evening feel special. Tchaikovsky’s ballet premiered in 1892 and has been a holiday tradition in many places ever since.

When and where to go

Productions run through December in lots of cities and towns, from large ballet companies to local dance schools and community groups. Performances often sell out, and the best weekend slots go first, so look for tickets a few weeks ahead if you can. Weekday and matinee shows can be easier to get.

Choose the kind of production that suits you. A large company often has a bigger orchestra and sets, while a local school can be cheaper, more relaxed and charming in its own way. Check what the listing says about live or recorded music, and about the running time.

Look at the start time and plan to arrive early. Getting there 20 to 30 minutes before curtain means you can find your seat, use the restroom and read the program without rushing. Many theatres do not seat latecomers until a break.

What to wear and bring

Dress up a little. There is no rule, and people wear everything from jeans to evening dresses, but it is nice to treat it as a night out.

• Shoes you can sit in comfortably for a couple of hours
• A light layer, since theatres can be warm inside and cold on the way in
• Your tickets on your phone or printed, with the seat details
• A small bag, because some theatres limit what you can bring in
• A little cash or a card, if you want a program or a drink at the interval

Switch your phone to silent, and turn the brightness down or off. In the dark, a lit screen is distracting to people nearby.

How the evening goes

1. Arrive early. Find your seat, settle in and read the program.
2. Act one. The story opens at a Christmas Eve party. A girl receives a nutcracker as a gift, and that night it comes to life and the tree grows. There is a battle between toy soldiers and mice, and then a snow scene.
3. The interval. A full performance usually has a break in the middle. Stretch your legs, get a drink and talk about what you have seen so far.
4. Act two. The Land of Sweets, where the dancers perform dances from different places, including the famous Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
5. Applause. Clap at the end of a dance if you want to, and at the end of the show.

Even if you do not know the plot, you can follow it by watching the dancers and reading the short synopsis in the program. The story differs a little from one production to another.

Making it an occasion

Meet whoever you are going with early for a hot drink, or a meal before. Take a photo in front of the theatre, or of the program. If you want to learn more about the music, listen to the suite beforehand, because many of the tunes will come back during the show.

What goes wrong

• It is sold out. Try a different date or a smaller local production. Some theatres keep a few last-minute tickets.
• You cannot see well. If you book, check the seating plan. Seats further back in the stalls or in the circle often give a better view of the whole stage.
• You are late. Many theatres hold latecomers at the back until a break. Aim to arrive early.
• It is too long. Choose a shorter family version, or a matinee if you want to be home early.
• You do not follow the story. Read the synopsis in the program or online beforehand. It takes two minutes.

After the show

Keep your ticket or program, and write the date and company on the back, so you can remember which version you saw. If you liked it, look for other ballet or live music events at the same theatre. Many have shows all year.

Make it a winter evening

Dress up, pick a night when you are not tired and leave time for something sweet afterwards. If you want another seasonal evening that feels like a treat, a Christmas market pairs well with it.