J084 DVD Ballet The Nutcracker The Royal Ballet (UK) Cojocaru & Miyako Yoshida ・No Japanese subtitles ・Booklet: English ・Picture quality: DVD quality ・NTSC / All regions ・Year of recording: 2001, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden ・Total running time: 2 hours 13 minutes (main feature 107 minutes) ・Other details: See the back of the jacket ・Product information from the distributor A renowned production unique to the Royal Ballet, which boasts a theatrical tradition. The heartwarming story unfolds, focusing on Drosselmeyer and his nephew, Hans-Peter, who has been turned into a doll, a part that has been omitted in other versions. The cast is also attractive, featuring principals such as Miyako Yoshida, Alina Cojocaru, Anthony Dowell, and Jonathan Cope. In the Land of Sweets scene, Clara and Hans also participate and perform charming dances, and Miyako Yoshida dances the Sugar Plum Fairy, which is delicate and feminine, and can be considered ideal. ★★★ Quoted from web reviews: First, there are three main types of The Nutcracker. ① Peter Wright choreography: In Act 1, Clara + the Nutcracker visit the dream world in Act 2 and are welcomed by the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Prince. → No grand pas de deux for Clara. ② Vasily Vainonen choreography: In Act 1, Clara + the Nutcracker visit the dream world in Act 2 and transform into the Princess and the Prince. → Clara's grand pas de deux is included. ③ Like the San Francisco Ballet and the Dutch National Ballet, Act 1 is performed by child actors, and Act 2 is performed by adults. In the end, it depends greatly on the age, appearance, and ability of the woman playing Clara. If Clara is too mature, Act 1 is awkward, and if she is too childish, the Princess in Act 2 is awkward. I feel that the Peter Wright version of the Royal Ballet is the best. ① The story is well-organized, and the ending is satisfying. ② It is appropriate for Christmas, with Christmas angels, making you feel happy. ③ Orthodox but lavish production. ④ Clara and the Nutcracker participate in the dances of each country in Act 2, increasing their appearances. ⑤ The Rose Fairy appears in the Waltz of the Flowers. And among the Peter Wright versions, I like the 2001 Cojocaru DVD the best. DVDs and Blu-rays were released in 2009, 2015, and 2018, but ● The 2001 Cojocaru DVD has the best cast. Needless to say, the acting is wonderful.