Royal Ballet

The Nutcracker

In Cinemas 19, 20 & 23 Dec 2026
Conductor
Charlotte Politi
Orchestra
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Cast
Mayara Magri (The Sugar Plum Fairy), Reece Clarke (The Prince), James Hay (Herr Drosselmeyer), Mariana Tsambenhoi (Clara), Taisuke Nakao (Hans-Peter/The Nutcracker)
Music
Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky
Choreography
Peter Wright after Lev Ivanov
Designs
Julia Trevelyan Oman
Duration
approx. 2h20 incl. an interval
Captured live from Covent Garden, London 10 Dec 2025
Official Event Listing
  • Spellbinding. Is there, anywhere in the world, a classier or more beautiful helping of Christmas entertainment than the Royal Ballet’s Nutcracker?
    Mark Monahan, THE TELEGRAPH
    Exceptional. Tchaikovsky’s sublime music makes one’s heart sing every time. Choreographically, of course, it’s a delight from start to finish.
    Amanda Jennings, BACHTRACK
    Wondrous. Christmas has landed!
    Debra Craine. LONDON TIMES
    Top-notch entertainment. Pure magic.
    Matthew Paluch, GRAMILIANO
    Exquisite spectacle. The production dazzles with magic, in terms of performance and production. A chance to escape into a world where refinement, courtesy, ritual and elevated forms of humanity are showcased.
    Martin Robinson, EVENING STANDARD

Ballet in two acts (1892)

Special Xmas encore screenings!  At a cosy Christmas party, young Clara meets the mysterious magician Drosselmeyer, who gives her a nutcracker doll. When the guests have departed and the house is asleep, Clara sneaks downstairs in search of the doll. Instead, she finds Drosselmeyer, who whisks her away on a journey into a whole world of enchantment: fantastical landscapes of flurried snow and glittering confection where toys come alive and the magic never stops. 

Peter Wright’s production of this festive family favourite sparkles to the wondrous swell of Tchaikovsky’s orchestral score, alongside the glow and grandeur of Julia Trevelyan Oman’s period designs.

Sessions & Buy Tickets

Select your preferred time and date below to purchase tickets.

Royal Ballet

Based at the Royal Opera House, The Royal Ballet, led by Director Kevin O'Hare, is Britain’s largest ballet company.  The Company has a wide-ranging repertory showcasing the great classical ballets, heritage works from Founder Choreographer Frederick Ashton and Principal Choreographer Kenneth MacMillan, as well as new works by the foremost choreographers of today. 

See more productions from: Royal Ballet and Opera