The Nutcracker – Bord Gáis Energy Theatre – Review by Brian Merriman 

The Georgian State Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker

Dates: 10 – 15 November 2025

Presented by the Georgian State Ballet Company and Theatre Tours International

The State Ballet of Georgia, the internationally renowned dance company, returns to Dublin stages in an enchanting production of The Nutcracker. Having been acclaimed during international tours from New York to Edinburgh, the ballet company emerged from the Z. Paliashvilil Opera and Ballet State Theatre in Tbilisi, with its origins going back to 1852.

Currently the company works under the direction of renowned, former Bolshoi Ballet and American Ballet Theatre principal, Nina Ananiashvili, who has been artistic director since 2004. She returned to her native Georgia to help rebuild the country, emerging again as an independent State in 1991.

Georgia had been annexed by Russia in the same year Ireland became part of the United Kingdom in 1801. Coincidentally, it had a brief period of independence from 1919 to 1921, but unlike our own road to independence, once again they were occupied by the new Soviet Union in 1921 for another 70 years. There is a distinct Georgian flavour in this colourful production with Popiashvili’s set and Kalatozishvili’s detailed costumes.

The first performance of The Nutcracker ballet, which is full of familiar tunes, was held as a double premiere together with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s last opera, Iolanta, on 18 December 1892.

Tchaikovsky was the first Russian composer of the Romantic period whose music made a lasting impression worldwide. He wrote some of the most popular nineteenth century concert and theatrical music in the classical repertoire, including the ballets Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, the 1812 Overture, his First Piano Concerto, Violin Concerto, the Romeo and Juliet Overture-Fantasy, several symphonies including (No. 6 Pathetique) , and the opera Eugene Onegin. His diverse range goes from fairytale to deeply dramatic. This delightful score was joyously played by the RTE Concert Orchestra under the illuminating direction of Conductor Levan Jagaev.

It’s an early start to the Christmas season perhaps, but the starting date of that commercial time seems to slip closer to Halloween every year. Tchaikovsky, known for his emotional turmoil and depression in real life, shows no sign of underestimating the joyous potential of the season, in his enduring and uplifting score that continues to entrance, delight and soar over a century later. It is that childlike seasonal joy that continues makes ballet accessible for children and adults, at this time of year.

It is Christmas Eve and Barbare is so lucky to have a Godfather, Drosselmeyer, who is a toy maker and magician, a strong on stage presence by Melor Zhorzholiani. It doesn’t get much better than that for any child.

In this production, Barbare is danced by an elegant Sesili Guguchia, as she brings us on an adventure with her lifelike nutcracker doll, in a stylish and athletic performance by Joshua Nunamaker.

Her brother Levan, a mischievous Nino Tskhvediani, becomes jealous of Barbare’s good fortune and Godfather again comes to the rescue, but for all of us, this is only the beginning of a night of enchantment and adventure.

The Christmas Eve magic continues in Barbare’s vivid dreams. Nutcracker is now the hero, and is under threat from the Mouse King, a commanding performance by David Rocha Santos and his army of rodents.

Her dream (or is it?) takes us all through the mythical lands of Snow and Sweets, the latter ruled by the Sugar Plum Fairy in a majestical performance by Mariam Eloshvili and her dashing Cavalier, a soaring Masaaki Goto, whose pas de deux and solos were showstopping highlights.

Other magical dance moments came in a series of dance vignettes that showcase the many nations of Georgia and its neighbours from five diverse couples in the talented company. These really set the second half alight. The very young company of over forty, were visual and vibrant in their onstage presentation. The twelve strong female corps de ballet were an elegant delight too, all under the expressive choreography of Alexey Fadeechev and Nian Ananiashvili

There is magical enchantment all around, in the orchestration, colourful settings, and the elegant performances of The Nutcracker. It will enchant the youngest children and those adults who retain their inner child.

Composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Artistic Director and choreographer: Nina Ananiashvili

Choreographer: Alexey Fadeechev.

Conductor: Levan Jagaev

Starring: Mariam Eloshvili, Masaaki Goto, Sesili Guguchia, Melor Zhorzholiani, Joshua Nunamaker, David Rocha Santos and Nino Tskhvediani,

Set Design: David Popiashvili

Costumes: Ana Kalatozishvili