Nutcracker (De Notenkraker) (Mariinsky (Kirov) Ballet) (2007)

Kirill Simonov's 2001 production of The Nutcracker, with spectacular designs by Mihail Chemiakin, emphasises the grotesqueries of E.T.A. Hoffmann's original story, with a Drosselmeyer straight out of Nosferatu and choreography in a 'Lev Ivanov meets Pina Bausch' style. The performance was filmed live at the Mariinsky Theatre in 2007 with Valery Gergiev conducting: Irina Golub is brashly charming as Masha, and the terminally cute Leonid Sarafanov dances up a storm when finally allowed to do so. But those looking for a traditional Nutcracker would probably do better with one of Sir Peter Wright's productions. {dancebooks]