Choreography, staging and libretto: Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation Igor Kolb

Musical director: People's Artist of the Republic of Bashkortostan Artem Makarov

Designer: Olga Melnik

Lighting designer: Honoured Worker of Culture of the Russian Federation Irina Vtornikova 

Computer graphics and video: Viktoria Zlotnikova

Conductors: Honoured Art Worker of the Republic of Belarus Nikolai Koliadko, Vitali Hryshchanka

Act I

Scene 1

It is Christmas Eve. In the Stahlbaum household, preparations for a festive meal are in full swing, and the enticing aromas emanating from the kitchen fill the air with anticipation. The hosts eagerly await the arrival of their guests, while Marie, standing alone at the window, remains melancholy, awaiting the coming of Drosselmeyer, her beloved godfather. The silhouettes of passers-by outside the frost-covered window remind her of huge mice. The girl hides behind the armchair in the living room and waits until she is called to the Christmas tree to open presents. Suddenly, a commotion is heard at the entrance leading to the kitchen, where a creature resembling a large nut with a tail is scurrying from one corner to another – it is the Mouse King’s son, Rodent, attempting to steal a large precious nut. This nut, known as Krakatuk, has been kept in the Stahlbaum house for so long that its true value has been forgotten by all.

Marie gazes in amazement at the funny mouse, and in her astonishment, inadvertently steps on his tail – the affronted Rodent emits a shriek of pain and, before vanishing, vows to take revenge.

The guests enter the living room, and through the window, one can see Drosselmeyer's sleigh descending the hill, propelled by mice. The sleigh is laden with an abundance of colourful boxes.

The Christmas ball begins. It is finally time for gifts. Anticipation is palpable, especially among the children, as they eagerly await the moment. Drosselmeyer opens the boxes beneath the Christmas tree, one by one. From one of them, he extracts a wind-up talking doll, crafted in Paris. From another, he takes out a wondrous Russian Petrushka doll. In the third one, an unparalleled delight awaits everyone – it is candied nuts, which will for sure leave everyone in awe. As soon as the lid of the crystal candy bowl has been lifted, the “nut with a tail”, already familiar to Marie, springs out of it and causes a commotion among the guests. So that's where he has hid! It seems that the little fellow has got lost in the Stahlbaum house and cannot find the way out. All are amused by the shenanigans of the comical mouse, and only Drosselmeyer is alarmed when he sees the Rodent sneak away somewhere with Krakatuk in front of everyone.

All the gifts have already been distributed. Marie is the only one left with nothing. Drosselmeyer offers her to unwrap the last parcel under the Christmas tree, which turns out to be a peculiar wooden doll. The guests burst into laughter at the sight of Marie's unattractive present, but in vain – the girl likes the good-natured Nutcracker at first glance. Drosselmeyer reveals to Marie that the Nutcracker is an enchanted charming prince, who can be freed from his enchantment with the help of the nut Krakatuk, which has been stolen by the Rodent.

The guests slowly depart, seen out by Marie's parents. Unbeknownst to them, other uninvited guests enter the house in the dark of night – Marie wrongly assumed earlier that she had merely imagined their silhouettes. The uninvited guests are led by the Mouse King, who is searching for his son and intends to seek revenge on those who have wronged him, especially to punish Marie by harming her newfound friend, the Nutcracker.

Marie, unable to sleep, sneaks back into the living room to check on the Nutcracker, carefully laid by her in an armchair. At that moment, Drosselmeyer appears. Marie is deeply agitated by his words, for it becomes clear that she must act swiftly – the Nutcracker should be freed from the magic spell with the help of Krakatuk before dawn. Should Marie fail, the prince will be consigned to a life as a wooden doll.

Suddenly, the Christmas tree comes to life, and the mysterious Drosselmeyer vanishes. Marie watches with bated breath as the tree moves its branches menacingly, growing larger and larger, taking on the appearance of a monstrous mass of mice. In horror, the girl sinks into the armchair, half-asleep, as she watches the valiant Nutcracker battle the mice. Initially, he leads an army of tin soldiers into action, before engaging in one-on-one combat against the Mouse King. However, his strength begins to wane, and the Nutcracker is injured. At this moment, Marie awakes. Drosselmeyer emerges from the shadows, presenting her with a lit candle. The flickering flame disperses the enemy forces, leaving the brave wounded Nutcracker lying on the battlefield. He is saved, but the mice vanish without a trace along with the Rodent, taking Krakatuk with them.

Scene 2

In the mysterious glow of Christmas night, the mouse army disappears. Drosselmeyer, Marie, and the Nutcracker pursue them on a sleigh, for they must break the spell over the prince before daybreak. Frost glints eerily on the boughs of fir trees, the stars sparkle like precious gems in the night sky, and the snowflakes – the subjects of the Snowflake Queen – twirl and glitter in their dance. The Queen, eager to aid Marie, conjures a whirlwind that swiftly whisks the sleigh in pursuit of the Mouse King away.

Act II

Scene 3

Just as dawn is about to break, the whirlwind brings the sleigh to a small house, but appearances can be deceptive: within, Drosselmeyer unveils to Marie the enchanted realm of Zuckerkenburg. The verdant branches of trees bow beneath the weight of exquisite blooms and colourful birds. Yet, amidst the foliage, one can discern the faces of mice, suggesting the presence of the Mouse King.

Suddenly, the “nut with a tail” emerges from nowhere, his teeth chattering audibly. The Rodent releases his grip on the nut, which rolls away, and Marie and the mouse vie for possession of Krakatuk. When the Rodent manages to snatch it back and nearly escapes, he glances back at Marie, who is disconsolate, and the wounded Nutcracker. Is the possession of the magical nut worth the suffering it inflicts? The Rodent relinquishes Krakatuk to Marie, who, in turn, bestows it upon the Nutcracker, who transforms into a prince in an instant.

Scene 4

Dawn breaks over Zuckerkenburg. The town is preparing for a celebration. The beautiful garden comes to life, music fills the air, and not only enamoured couples join in the dancing, but also Chinese cherries, mystical oriental serpents, and hilarious Petrushka dolls. Marie and the Nutcracker, who has become a dashing prince, are never going to part – the Nutcracker is grateful to Marie for rescuing him and admires her kindness and beauty. Only Drosselmeyer is observing the merriment from the sidelines with a touch of melancholy, for his task is now complete, the tale is told.