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'The Nutcracker and I' by Alexandra Dariescu

Part of the Guildhall School Alumni Recital Series

,Milton Court Concert Hall
Photo of Alexandra Dariescu from The Nutcracker and I

‘The Nutcracker and I’ by Alexandra Dariescu, is a new and innovative 50-minute live performance based on the magical Christmas story, for anyone who dares to dream.

Alexandra inspires the audience by telling us her own story as Clara: from little girl to concert pianist and invites us to use our own imagination, to hope, work hard and never give up.

On stage will be a grand piano, played by Dariescu herself, and ballerina Désirée Ballantyne behind a see-through gauze screen. Projected onto the gauze and bringing the story to life are exquisite digital animations, all hand drawn and created in advance by Yeast Culture. They follow the music and engage live with the pianist and ballerina as they ‘dance’ across the screen. The audience will feel like they are actually in and a part of The Nutcracker story.

Tchaikovsky’s enchanting ballet music features throughout and includes favourites such as Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Arabian Dance, Chinese Dance, Pax de Deux, and the Flower Waltz, in 15 virtuosic arrangements by composers such as Mikhail Pletnev, Stepan Esipoff, Percy Grainger and three brand new adaptations by Gavin Sutherland.

Tagged with: Classical music Milton Court Guildhall School

Promoted by the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

Creative team

  • Alexandra Dariescu   performer and producer
  • Nick Hillel   director
  • Adam Smith   art director and director of animation
  • Jenna Lee   choreographer
  • Désirée Ballantyne   ballerina
  • Sander Loonen   technical producer
  • Yeast Culture   video design producers

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Milton Court Concert Hall

Location
Milton Court Concert Hall is located within the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and is approximately a 5 minute walk from the Barbican entrance on Silk Street.  

Address
Milton Court
Silk St, London
EC2Y 9BH

Nearby public transport
We are within walking distance from a number of London Underground stations, the closest being Barbican, Old Street, St Paul’s and Moorgate. The nearest train stations are Liverpool Street and Farringdon. Bus Route 153 runs directly past the Barbican along Chiswell Street

Car and bicycle parking
We have free bicycle spaces and paid car parking spaces available