Chinese New Year: The National Ballet of China

This Arab World Premiere kicks off this year’s Abu Dhabi Festival. It’s a reimagined version of The Nutcracker, and it is an established part of the repertoire of a company noted for its dazzling hybrid of western ballet and Chinese culture. So we’re promised “a journey from a Beijing temple fair to enchanting fairy realms, concluding with a thrilling explosion of firecrackers”, with Tchaikovsky’s score for the backbone to a colourful tale brought to life by vibrant characters and radiant choreography as a young Chinese girl celebrates the New Year by embarking on a mystical journey through a world of festive Chinese customs … Recommended, if you can get hold of a ticket.

There are further performances on 27 January at 4.30pm and 8pm.