Ballet in the vines

The Dunsborough School of Ballet will perform a take on the classic Nutcracker ballet next month.

The Little Nutcracker will see the school’s students, aged between five and 16, perform a take on the well-known show at Happs Winery.

Ballet teacher Caroline Jensen has used the original Tchaikovsky ballet music, but shortened it slightly to a version suited for children.

“The ballet tells the magical tale of Clara who receives a nutcracker toy from a mysterious magician at a Christmas party,” she said.

“Clara and the audience are taken on a wondrous journey through swirling, dancing snowflakes to the Kingdom of the Sweets, ruled over by the beautiful Sugarplum Fairy.

“Here she meets and dances with Spanish dancers (representing chocolate), lollipops, candy canes and beautiful roses.”

Jensen said the performance would reflect the choreography of the original ballet.

“I have studied the ballet closely and kept to the mood of the original, changing movements to suit the younger dancers,” she said.

A Little Nutcracker will be performed at Happs Winery on Saturday, December 2, from 7pm.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children and are available at happs.com.au.