The Nutcracker

A Magical Musical Quest

When two squabbling siblings receive a mysterious nutcracker from their flamboyant Aunt on Christmas Eve, it sets them off on a fantastical journey into ‘The Mousey Realm’. Can they put their differences aside and stop the evil, many-headed Mouse King before he ruins Christmas? Only time will tell…

This bold and brilliantly silly tale is brought to ingenious theatrical life with clever cardboard creations, comic characters and a chorus of cheeky musical mice. It’s crammed full of action, laugh-out-loud comedy, and a sleigh-load of feelgood festive bangers that’ll have you dancing in your seat - with just the right amount of cheese.

**** (4 stars) “JOYOUS! This ebullient retelling of this rodent classic packs an emotional charge” The Stage

Photos by Steve Gregson

Reimagined and created by Little Bulb

Originally Co-Produced by Polka Theatre and Little Bulb

Written and devised by Clare Beresford, Dominic Conway and Alexander Scott, in collaboration with Lakeisha Lynch-Stevens, Caroline Partridge, Edith Tankus, and Shamira Turner.

Performed by

Clare Beresford

Dominic Conway

Lakeisha Lynch-Stevens

Caroline Partridge

Shamira Turner

Directed by Alexander Scott

Musical Direction by Clare Beresford & Dominic Conway

Lighting Design by Joshua Pharo

Sound Design by Sharon Tsang

Production Manager - Jenny Wheeler

Producer - Emily Davis

With thanks to

Helen Metravers, Kate Bradshaw, Adam Crosthwaite, Peter Hatherall, Annie James, Katie Bingham, Eddie Holmes Milner, Fergus O'Loan, Abigayle Bartle, Roman Stefanski and all the wonderful team at Polka Theatre. Additionally from the original run we'd like to thank Yoji Yau, Rose Charmaine Camacho, Iain Gibbons, Micheal Douglas, Fani Parali, Basement 94 and from the R&D phase

Fiona Baxter - Producer

Yshani Perinpanayagam - R&D collaborator

Edith Tankus - R&D collaborator

Ellena Vincent - R&D collaborator

Photos by Steve Gregson