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Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker, Birmingham Hippodrome
Mar 27 2008 By Catherine Lillington
AN UNUSUAL opening to the Nutcracker has a waif-like cast trooping on to the stage and gazing out in wonder at the packed theatre.
From there we were taken inside their monochrome and miserable orphanage where this version of the ballet is set.
It is run by a wicked matron and her husband Dr Dross whose leather coat and wiry specs were very like Herr Flick's from Allo Allo.
The costumes and the sets were the stars of the show. Instead of the national dances in the original we had Liquorice Allsorts, the Marshmallow Girls and best of all Knickerbocker Glory.
The Sweetieland backdrop of the second act was intended to be in technicolour contrast.
Candy stripes, an enormous tiered cake and a giant glittery pair of lips set the scene nicely.
Enchanting.
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