Paris Opera Ballet

The Nutcracker

In Cinemas 25, 26 & 29 Jul 2026
Conductor
Andrea Quinn
Orchestra
Orchestre de l’Opera national de Paris
Cast
Dorothée Gilbert (Clara), Guillaume Diop (Drosselmeyer/The Prince), Paris Opera Premiers Danseurs and Corps de Ballet. With the participation of Paris Opera’s Dance School students. Paris Opera Orchestra, Maîtrise des Hauts-de-Seine /Paris Opera Children Choir
Music
Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky
Choreography
Rudolf Nureyev
Designs
Nicholas Georgiadis
Duration
1h43 without interval
Captured live from Opéra Bastille, Paris, Dec 2023

Ballet in two acts (1985)

Celebrate Christmas in July with Rudolf Nureyev’s Paris Opera Ballet reinterpretation of The Nutcracker, with sets and costumes emphasising the strange nature of E.T.A. Hoffman’s original 1816 tale that inspired Marius Petipa's 1892 ballet.

One Christmas Eve, young Clara (Dorothée Gilbert) is given an inanimate puppet, a nutcracker. Holding it in her arms, she falls asleep and dreams of a fantasy world where toys come to life. Surrounded by toy soldiers, rats, and oversized dolls, and guided by the wooden puppet who has become Prince Charming (Guillaume Diop), Clara confronts her fears and desires.

Snowflakes, flowers and enchanted landscapes form the backdrop to a dazzling choreography, as Clara's dreams are brought to life through Tchaikovsky's sparkling score.

Patrons please note: Online sales for this production are not available until 21 November 2025 for sessions at Palace Cinemas (VIC, NSW, ACT, QLD, WA). However, advance tickets for these venues can be purchased in person at the box office at any time during regular trading hours.

Paris Opera Ballet

The Paris Opera Ballet, rich in historical tradition, stages some 180 performances per season in Paris, the French regions and abroad. Over the years it has played host to many of the world’s greatest choreographers: George Balanchine, Serge Lifar, Rudolf Nureyev, Roland Petit, Maurice Béjart, and of course Pina Bausch.

See more productions from: Opéra national de Paris