Escape the cold winter chill to warm your body and soul with a rich showcase of local talent in 6th Position’s inaugural The Nutcracker in July performance at Canberra College Performing Arts Centre on 13-14 July.
Traditionally a Christmas-time ballet, Anouska Moore, production director, thought the ballet would be a good way to encourage families out of the house during the chilliest season.
“I felt like it was about time Canberra had one [production of The Nutcracker], we’ve got a thriving ballet community in Canberra, so I’d love to start it as an annual tradition to give dancers an opportunity. Also, to give Canberrans something fun and nice and warm to do inside in wintertime.”
Having a long-lasting chokehold on the international ballet community according to Ms Moore, the whimsical family-friendly story of The Nutcracker transports the viewer to a Wonderland-like world.
Set on Christmas Eve, Clara, a young girl who dreams of being a ballerina, is given toys at her parent’s party. Among the toys she receives is a wooden nutcracker doll from her godfather.
“He’s like the puppeteer, he’s got a plan to set in motion freeing his nephew of the curse of being turned into a nutcracker doll by the Mouse Queen,” says Ms Moore.
Aided by Christmas magic, Clara shrinks down to the size of the doll and must help try and free the Nutcracker from his curse.
“That’s when Gino does some amazing leaps across the stage and the music is really beautiful,” she says.
Bringing the story to life are the stars of the performance Gino Lu and Imogen Waters.
Coming to dancing as an adult, Mr Lu grew up studying music and while he enjoyed movement like gymnastics and swimming, he wanted something more. A friend suggested he try ballet in 2017, instantly falling in love, he hasn’t looked back since. He joined 6th Position in 2019 and while he has participated in showcases, Mr Lu is preparing for his first leading role as the Nutcracker.
“I did grow up performing on stage, I’m not a stranger to performing. It is my first time doing a full-length narrative ballet and so much dancing on stage, I’m really looking forward to it.”
Falling in love with dance in preschool, Ms Waters has been practicing for over 20 years. Moving to Canberra a few years ago, she wanted to find an adult ballet studio and found a place to call home at 6th Position.
Although she has done performances as a child and adult, the upcoming performance of The Nutcracker is the first time Ms Waters will take centre stage.
“I’ve definitely never performed a principal role like this before, it’s very exciting. I honestly never thought I would have an opportunity like this either being a recreational adult dancer,” says Ms Waters.
Once a king, the dancers travel to the Nutcracker’s Kingdom of Sweets and encounter delightful characters such as the Sugar Plum Fairy and dancing desserts. The recognisable and beautiful Tchaikovsky music guides the performers through unforgettable feats of movement.
The mesmerising costumes and sets have been a labor of love from the community with Ms Moore’s husband crafting the backdrops with moving elements and video layovers to help tell the story. Volunteers and Canberra Dancewear have come on board, spending hours upon hours crafting the intricate costumes.
“We also had a throne donated to us. At the working bee with the volunteers we all made the desserts; we’ve got a giant pavlova, trifle, a big chocolate cake, a giant gingerbread house. The ballerina doll comes out of the box on stage. The production aspect of it, I would say, has been just as intense as teaching the choreography,” says Ms Moore.
Some of the moves have been taught by resident ballet master Sir Martin James, a retired principal dancer with the English National Ballet, Deutsche Opera Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, and the Royal New Zealand Ballet.
“Gino and Imogen have had an amazing time learning his pas de deux that he developed for himself years ago. He has taught them his version, which is an incredible opportunity,” says Ms Moore.
Along with learning from industry masters, dancers from 6th Position are given opportunities beyond performance, as Mr. Lu discovered during the process of bringing this production to the stage.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with quite a few different choreographers who all have different styles of teaching and choreographing. I also managed to choreograph a piece for The Nutcracker. It has been really fun and it has been quite rewarding doing the full rehearsals and running the pieces from the start to the end,” says Mr Lu.
In addition to having a fantastic time enjoying the local arts, Ms Moore, Mr Lu, and Ms Waters hope that the upcoming performance inspires former dancers or those who think they are too old to start to take a shot.
“Ballet is for everyone, it can teach you lots about your body, and about posture and it is not what most people have in their minds. Ballet is not as closed off as most people think, there are avenues for people to learn and enjoy ballet,” says Mr Lu.
Experience the warming talent of local performers in The Nutcracker in July at Canberra College Performing Arts Centre on 13-14 July; 6thposition.au.
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