K076 DVD Ballet The Nutcracker Royal Ballet Cojocaru & Miyako Yoshida ・No Japanese subtitles ・Booklet: English ・Picture quality: DVD quality ・NTSC / All regions ・Year of recording: 2001, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden ・Total running time: 2 hours 13 minutes (main feature 107 minutes) ・Other details: Please refer to the back of the jacket. ・Product information from the distributor A magnificent production unique to the Royal Ballet, which boasts a theatrical tradition. The heartwarming story unfolds around Drosselmeyer and his nephew, Hans-Peter, who has been turned into a doll, elements that have been omitted in other productions. The gorgeous cast, including Miyako Yoshida, Alina Cojocaru, Anthony Dowell, and Jonathan Cope, is also a highlight. In the Land of Sweets scene, Clara and Hans also participate and perform charming dances, and Miyako Yoshida dances the Sugar Plum Fairy with a delicate and feminine grace that can be called ideal. ★★★ Quoted from a review on the web First of all, there are three types of The Nutcracker in the orthodox version. ① Peter Wright's choreography: In Act 1, Clara + the Nutcracker visit the dream world in Act 2 and are welcomed by the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Prince. → No grand pas for Clara. ② Vasily Vainonen's choreography: In Act 1, Clara + the Nutcracker visit the dream world in Act 2 and transform into a princess and prince. → Grand pas for Clara. ③ Like the San Francisco Ballet and the Dutch National Ballet, the role of Clara is played by a different child actor in Act 1, and an adult in Act 2. In the end, it largely depends on the age, appearance, and ability of the woman playing Clara. If Clara is too mature, Act 1 is awkward, and if she is too childish, the princess in Act 2 is awkward. I feel that the Peter Wright version of the Royal Ballet is the best. ① The story is well-organized and the ending is satisfying. ② It is suitable for Christmas, with Christmas angels, making you feel happy. ③ Orthodox but lavish production. ④ Clara and the Nutcracker participate in the dances of each country in Act 2, increasing their appearances. ⑤ The Rose Fairy appears in the Waltz of the Flowers. And among the Peter Wright versions, I like the 2001 Cojocaru DVD the best. DVDs and Blu-rays were released in 2009, 2015, and 2018, but ● The 2001 Cojocaru DVD has the best cast. Needless to say, the acting is wonderful.