THE NUTCRACKER Opens English National Ballet's Christmas Season Tonight

English National Ballet celebrates Tamara Rojo's first season as Artistic Director with an exquisite production of The Nutcracker, and the timeless fairytale, The Sleeping Beauty at the Coliseum this Christmas.

The Nutcracker

22 – 25 November Southampton Mayflower
12 December 2012 - 5 January 2013 London Coliseum

Following last year's most successful Christmas Season, English National Ballet returns to the West End with its traditional retelling of The Nutcracker.

Set in a world of frosty Edwardian elegance designed by Peter Farmer, this captivating production takes audiences on an enchanting journey with Clara, her Nutcracker doll and the magician Drosselmeyer. In costumes shimmering with Swarovski Crystallised elements English National Ballet's dancers bring to life Tchaikovsky's eternally popular score which features the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Waltz of the Flowers and many other familiar favourites. Swarovski have generously supportEd English National Ballet since 2007.

This Nutcracker, choreographed by Wayne Eagling received its world Premiere in 2010, when it was enjoyed by almost 70,000 people over the Christmas and New Year period.

This is English National Ballet's 11th production of The Nutcracker since it performed its first full length Nutcracker in its founding year of 1950. English National Ballet has established the tradition of performing The Nutcracker every single Christmas since then.

The performance runs for approximately two hours, including one 20-minute interval.

The Sleeping Beauty

17 October – 1 December UK Tour
9 - 19 January 2013 London Coliseum

Choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan, with sumptuous costumes by Georjiadis The Sleeping Beautywill arrive at the London Coliseum after the Autumn Tour.

Combining grand sets and costumes, Tchaikovsky's sumptuous score and displays of virtuosic dancing, The Sleeping Beauty is a dazzling showcase of classical ballet.

English National Ballet revived this production of The Sleeping Beauty in 2005, performing it again across theUK and at the Coliseum in 2008. In these two seasons the show was seen by almost 150,000 people.

The London Season follows an autumn tour which visited Milton Keynes, Liverpool and Manchester.

There is a family friendly performance, where under 5s are welcome, on 15 January at 2.30pm.

Alongside the performances, English National Ballet also offers a series of events that delve deeper into the magical world of The Nutcracker, and The Sleeping Beauty. These include on-stage Ballet Workshops, Choreographic Masterclassses, and workshops designed for the whole family.

Casting to be announced.

Christmas at the London Coliseum

Box Office 0871 911 0200
Book online at www.ballet.org.uk

The Nutcracker
12 – 15, 18 – 22, 26 – 29 December & 2 -5 January 7:30pm
13 December 2pm
14 – 16, 18 – 23, 26 – 30 December, 1 – 2, 5 January 2:30pm

The Sleeping Beauty
9 – 12, 15 – 19 January 2013 7:30pm
12, 15, 17, 19 January 2:30pm

Workshops and masterclasses run throughout the Christmas season at the London Coliseum, and are priced from £20. Visit www.ballet.org.uk/learning for information and to book, or e-mail learning@ballet.org.uk.

For further information about English National Ballet visit www.ballet.org.uk. You can also find English National Ballet on Facebook and Twitter @ENBalle