It's time for some festive fun with the Royal Ballet’s Nutcracker!

A nighttime, external shot of the Royal Opera House, LondonThe Royal Opera House, home of the world-renowned Royal Ballet, is playing host to the most famous festive production of all time this winter, The Nutcracker, with 9 performances between the 2nd and 16th January 2014.

This classic, much-loved ballet was created by Marius Petipa, based on a fairytale by E. T. A Hoffman, and was first performed in 1892 at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. Peter Wright’s direction with score by Tchaikovsky and Trevelyan Oman’s 19th century Christmas stage design make The Nutcracker a classic production for the festive season.

The story begins with a Christmas party hosted by the parents of a little girl named Clara, who receives a Nutcracker doll from a magician named Drosselmeyer.  When all of the guests have left and the house is silent, Clara discovers that the Nutcracker is enchanted and is swept away on a magical adventure.

The Nutcracker is now showing at the Royal Opera House until January 16th.  Tickets for the event cost from £8 and are available from the Royal Opera House website.

After the majestic performance, why not come on over to DUKES London for some rest and relaxation and enjoy a culinary delight in our ever-popular restaurant?

Image courtesy of Peter Suranyi