Each festive season, the timeless magic of The Nutcracker returns to stages across the UK, and in 2025–26 the Let’s All Dance Ballet Company continues a tradition that has been delighting family audiences for years. Running from late November 2025 through early January 2026, this touring production visits venues from Crawley to Cheltenham, with a celebrated stop at the Royal Academy of Dance in London’s Battersea.
Unlike the full-length productions at major houses, this adaptation is crafted with accessibility in mind: a tight 50–55 minute performance (no interval) that invites children and adults alike into Clara’s enchanted Christmas Eve. The cozy theatre environment at the Royal Academy - enhanced by free seating and a welcoming ambience - encourages audiences to lean in and savour Tchaikovsky’s score and the dancers’ expressive movement.
"We aim to make ballet high-quality, accessible and fun," says artistic Director Orit Sutton. "Nutcracker is designed to spark imagination and confidence in children while retaining enough technical polish to satisfy seasoned theatregoers."
Costumes sparkle under soft lighting: the Sugar Plum Fairy’s gown swirls with delicate grace, and the Mouse King’s dark silhouette adds dramatic contrast. Ensemble dances, from toy soldiers to snowflakes, are synchronised and expressive, allowing even first-time ballet viewers to follow the story with ease. Tchaikovsky’s melodies, presented with warmth and energy, complement the movement perfectly.
Originally launched in 2020 and returning after a sell-out tour last year, this version of The Nutcracker has become a reliable festive favourite. Its continued appeal lies not in grand spectacle but in its ability to create genuine theatre magic in an intimate setting, leaving audiences inspired by the beauty and joy of live dance.
It runs until 4 January.
Review: Jenny Eagle