For many Cowichan residents, Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without seeing a performance of The Nutcracker ballet at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre.
And this December, after a one-year hiatus, the Royal City Youth Ballet’s presentation of the full-length ballet is back.
This year’s Nutcracker performances are scheduled for Friday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 17 at 1 p.m.
This favourite holiday event features a cast of more than 100 dedicated and enthusiastic dancers under the artistic direction of Dolores Kirkwood, OBC.
They’ll be performing to Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s music with lots of colourful costumes. And lots and lots of colourful characters, too.
There are magical soldiers, armies of mice and rats, a Sugar Plum Fairy, snowflakes, a Snow King and Queen, waltzing flowers, Arabian, Spanish and Russian dancers and much more to delight young and old.
Young Clara’s family is entertaining on Christmas Eve and she receives a special nutcracker in the shape of a soldier from a favourite uncle.
Worn out by the excitement of the evening, she falls asleep with her new gift by her side and dreams and dreams.
The audience gets to experience Clara’s dream come to life in an unforgettable adventure and she and her gallant Nutcracker travel to the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets for a beguiling interlude.
Tickets are $26 each. Family tickets (two adults and two children for $84) are also available for this event. For tickets go online to cowichanpac.ca or call 250 748-7529.