Casse-Noisette Circus

- Nutcracker Circus -

For Casse-Noisette Circus, Jean-Christophe Maillot deliberately chose to take the common saying in its literal sense : « it is not ballet, it is circus … » despicably and derogatory in both ways not to reduce either one but on the contrary, to add the naive and cheery brightness of the circus world  to his choreographic performance.

 Fifty dancers intertwine within an extravagant and magical universe. Dance, acrobatics, juggling and clowns merge together in a vast choreographic enchantment.

The ballet makes an exception to the tradition by actually using the original tale of the german writer, “ The Nutcracker and the Mouse King ” : a multi-faceted intrigue with even more fantasy, madness and suspens. And a little girl who devours the world with her whole imagination. Nightmares, fears, desires, enchantments take over the stage. A performance in the form of a gift created on the occasion of the Jubilee of Prince Rainier III of Monaco.

Choreography: Jean-Christophe Maillot
Music: Piotr Ilyitch Tchaikovski
Scenography and costumes: Jérôme Kaplan
Lighting: Dominique Drillot
Duration: 1h50

With the participation of the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by David Garforth

Premiere held on december 18th 1999, Chapiteau de Fontvieille Monaco as part of the Jubilee of Prince Rainier III