The Nutcracker and I
by Alexandra Dariescu

A pianist, a ballerina, state-of-the-art animations and digital effects. The Nutcracker for the 21st century with astonishing, state-of-the-art animation and digital effects to retell this seasonal classic like it’s never been told before, creating a fantastical world so real that you might even start to believe in sugar plum fairies! A visual and musical treat for all ages. 

The Nutcracker and I, by Alexandra Dariescu is a ground-breaking multimedia performance for piano solo with dance and digital animation, which Dariescu created and produced out of a personal responsibility to reach out to younger audiences and build bridges for those perhaps new to classical music.

The Nutcracker and I was premiered at Barbican’s Milton Court in December 2017, supported by the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and has since then enjoyed international critical acclaim on tour across Europe, Australia, China, the Emirates and the US with more than 75 performances in venues such as the Wiener Konzerthaus, Laeiszhalle Hamburg, Philharmonie Luxembourg, Auditorium de Lyon, Verbier Festival, Konserthuset Gothenburg, King’s Place London, Melbourne Recital Hall, Sydney City Recital Hall, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Shanghai Grand Theatre, Dubai Opera House and Las Vegas Summerlin Library. So far, The Nutcracker and I reached more than 70,000 people worldwide through the live performances and a newly released audio book, narrated by BBC Blue Peter presenter and BAFTA winner, Lindsey Russell. In 2019, The Nutcracker and I was shortlisted for one of the most prestigious German Awards, Opus Klassik, as one of the 9 nominees including projects by Daniel Barenboim, Lang Lang and Anne-Sophie Mutter.

Alexandra inspires audiences by telling her own story as Clara: from little girl to concert pianist. On stage, Dariescu is at the piano joined by the ballerina behind a see-through gauze screen, whilst exquisite, hand drawn digital animations are projected onto the gauze, bringing the magical story to life. The music contains 15 virtuosic movements of the original Tchaikovsky score arranged by Mikhail Pletnev, Stefan Esipoff, Percy Grainger and three brand new adaptations by Gavin Sutherland.

Performed and produced by: Alexandra Dariescu
Directed by: Nick Hillel
Art director and director of animation: Adam Smith
Choreographer: Jenna Lee
Ballerina: Désirée Ballantyne, Amy Drew and Imogen Ash
Technical producer: Sander Loonen
Video design produced by: Yeast Culture

WATCH the world tour videos below