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Latest News From The World Of Dance On The Arts Desk
In dance this week on The Arts Desk, there is an abundance of Nutcrackers to choose from, as well as an indispensable guide to dance on stage and screen this Christmas.
First up is the English National Ballet’s more traditional take on Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet, which always has a tough task competing with its illustrious rivals. The incongruently gloomy blue-tinged lighting and its occasionally confusing contradictions in the storytelling were its only negatives though.
Next of the two Nutcrackers under the microscope this week is Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker. As with many Nutcrackers, the first act is the best, and is packed with both comedy and superb effects. In the second half though, Bourne’s choreography is not quite up to the demands of the music, so it begins to disappoint.
A seasonal round-up of the best Dance DVDs for Christmas, has been put together by Ismene Brown. The Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Cinderella, turned out to be a veritable feast on film with the details of David Bintley’s production and John McFarlane’s ingenious set designs. With more to offer on film than on stage, the Royal Ballet’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland revels in the whirlwind of Technicolor.
The Royal Ballet’s latest Ashton collection is also featured and includes 7 ballets over 7 years and featuring such stars as the now retired Darcey Bussell and today’s Tamara Rojo. There are two separate offerings from the Royal Ballet of The Sleeping Beauty and Bringing Balanchine Back is a 2004 documentary about the New York City Ballet’s tour to the Mariinsky.
Providing a handy run-down of the dance shows and events happening in the cinema and on TV, Ismene Brown celebrates dance’s current accessibility across the media. Included are live cinema screenings of the Royal Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty, Darcey Bussell’s TV tribute to Hollywood’s dance musicals and, of course, the Strictly Come Dancing Final.
Getting out the Christmas Nutcrackers
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The Hillary Nutcracker $6.99 Item #: HCN1-CSB. You have just found the most innovative new product of the year! Get your hands on the world’s most unique nutcracker…Grab Hillary while supplies last! Demand is strong and growing! This Hillary Clinton Nutcracker Stands Nine-inches tall. It is a functional, plastic nutcracker with stainless steel teeth secured inside upper legs to grip and crack nuts in their shell. The Hillar… |
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Drosselmeyer Nutcracker Named for the town in Tchaikovsky’s famous Christmas ballet The Nutcracker, Drosselmeyer takes one of the first known domestic challenges, and turns nutcracking into a simple, easy task for anyone, regardless of strength and dexterity. This award winning design is widely regarded as the best and most powerful nutcracker on the market. It’s a quick, clean and easy way to crack nuts. Drosselmeyer is… |
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Nutcracker Cookie Jar $54.99 Cookie Jar… |
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The Nutcracker / Baryshnikov, Kirkland, Charmoli $11.39 The American Ballet Theatre and Mikhail Baryshnikov present this timeless and colorful production of Tchaikovsky’s ballet, with prima ballerina Gelsey Kirkland as the young girl whose Christmas Eve dream brings a toy soldier nutcracker to life as a handsome prince (Baryshnikov). 78 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital stereo…. |
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Christmas Eve and Other Stories $1.99 Characterized by its Capra-esque quality, this acclaimed holiday recording features an ensemble that joins talents from the hard rock, Broadway musical and classical arenas.Genre: Christmas MusicMedia Format: Compact DiskRating: Release Date: 15-OCT-1996… |
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Radio City Christmas Spectacular $4.99 Now you don’t have to make a costly schlep to New York City to experience the magic of the Radio City Music Hall’s annual Christmas production starring the one and only Rockettes! This program marking the 75th anniversary of the popular production features the renowned dancers performing “The Dance of the Nutcracker,” “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers,” “Santa’s Toy Headquarters,” “The Living Nativit… |
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Tchaikovsky – The Nutcracker (American Ballet Theatre) [VHS] $1.29 The American Ballet Theater version of the Tchaikovsky classic, a 1977 studio rendition directed by Tony Charmoli, has become a holiday perennial on PBS stations and home video. It’s a favorite of parents who want to give their kids the gift of culture–and with good reason. There’s a loose fairy tale plot to keep dance neophytes interested, and Boris Aronson’s eye-candy production design is a se… |
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Mickey’s Magical Christmas – Snowed in at the House of Mouse [VHS] $2.78 Though promoted as a “full length holiday movie,” this is more of a TV Christmas special spinoff from Disney’s new series, House of Mouse. The premise is something like an animated Muppet Show: Mickey, Goofy, and Donald run a nightclub for an audience of Disney characters, with plenty of songs, skits, and cartoons. There’s not much story to this holiday special–Mickey whips up an impromptu … |
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Scooby-Doo’s A Nutcracker Scoob [VHS] $9.94 Scooby, Scrappy, and the gang are helping out Tiny Tina and the other young residents of a children’s home put on a Christmas pageant when they are interrupted by a spooky apparition. Is it the work of the dastardly businessman who would do anything to buy the home? Or is someone else after the emerald hidden on the premises? You can bet the canine-human team will find the answers inside of 23 min… |
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Kurt Adler 10-Light Elvis Blue Suede Shoes LED Miniature Light Set. $15.56 Elvis Presley Blue Suede Shoes Mini Christmas Light Set of 10. This whimsical set measures 5 feet and features a convenient battery pack. Perfect for your tree this holiday season this one of a kind set it a unique addition to any collection. Makes a great gift!… |