The Nutcracker returns to Hippodrome to mark Sir Peter Wright’s centenary

Birmingham Royal Ballet is bringing its festive production of The Nutcracker back to Birmingham Hippodrome this month.

This year’s run marks the 100th birthday of the man who created it.

Sir Peter Wright’s staging runs from Friday 20 November to Saturday 12 December - bringing snowflakes, magic and sparkle to the company’s home stage.

The run is the culmination of a year-long celebration of Sir Peter’s 100th birthday.

Sir Peter is Birmingham Royal Ballet’s founding director laureate and one of ballet’s most influential directors. He was responsible for bringing the company to the Midlands.

Created as a gift to the city, his production of The Nutcracker has delighted Birmingham audiences for more than three decades. It remains widely regarded as one of the finest stagings of the ballet in the world.

The production features designs by the acclaimed artist John Macfarlane. Tchaikovsky’s score is performed live by the 60-strong Royal Ballet Sinfonia.

Audiences can also expect daring swordfights, falling snow and a 30ft Christmas tree, in a festive show for all ages.

Birmingham Royal Ballet director Carlos Acosta said: “As always, it is a pleasure to see The Nutcracker return to Birmingham Hippodrome, now in its 36th year since the production’s world premiere here in the city.

“Every year I delight in seeing generations come together to enjoy this magical production, some of them for the very first time and some in a long tradition of enjoying our glorious Nutcracker every festive season.

“This season is made even more special as we celebrate the 100th birthday of our founding director laureate, Sir Peter Wright.

“His production of The Nutcracker is widely regarded as one of the finest in the world and can only be found in Birmingham this Christmas.”

Find out more about cast performance dates and for tickets.