The Nutcracker

The final performances (at 2pm and 8pm) for Tchaikovsky’s all-time seasonal favourite, as delivered by the Astana Opera Ballet and Orchestra. Choreography is by Yuri Grigorovich, the set designs by Simon Virsaladze are described as “stunning”, and the blurb promises that audiences will be transported “into a magical world where dreams come to life”. Which is what you want from a classical Christmas ballet danced in the classical manner.