The National Ballet of China - The Nutcracker

“The story line of the Nutcracker (Chinese Version) is essentially following Tchaikovsky’s music for classical ballet the Nutcracker. However, the artists in the National Ballet of China have integrated many activities and traditions to celebrate Chinese New Year into choreography to make the Nutcracker have different look. The main roles in this ballet, a girl and a boy, both have Chinese names - YuanYuan and TuanTuan. Mices become monsters. The nutcracker solders are under tigers’ masks. The dancing of snow flakes, many ballet lovers’ favorite scene, is replaced by dancing of The Red-crowned cranes in snow. The character dances in the fantasy world are all compositions of Chinese elements such as zodiac costumes performances; as well as dances of candied fruits, chic and elegant fans, silk ribbons, kites, spinning tops and gold ingots.“