Visit to rehearsal by New English Ballet Theatre

VISIT TO NEW ENGLISH BALLET THEATRE

1 October 2025

LBC members were invited to watch Company Class and a rehearsal of Valentino Zucchetti’s Nutcracker at the Pineapple Dance Studios in London. We were given a warm welcome by Karen Pilkington-Miksa, Artistic and Executive Director who outlined the forthcoming tour of the ballet which will include regional theatres. These theatres are keen to programme more ballet as their audiences are hungry for more dance. The company will have 2 seasons moving forward and more tours in 2026/7.

The morning began with Company Class led by Josephine Holling and accompanied by Matt Gregory. The dancers were “put through their paces” whilst members watched and identified the countless film and musical theatre pieces Matt wove into the music.

Valentino Zuccetti then outlined his version of the Nutcracker which has been adapted to fit smaller stages. The ballet opens with the party scene set in the 1990’s. The guests bring gifts such as castanets, fans and champagne which come to life in Act 2. Drosselmeyer entertains the guests in the style of Derren Brown the Illusionist and hypnotises Clara. In her dream pirates and soldiers replace the traditional rats and soldiers in the battle scene and a Snow Queen takes over from Drosselmeyer to lead Clara to the land of snow and into Act 2.

The company have been in rehearsal for 4 weeks and we watched their first walk through of the Act 1. Corrections were given by Valentino and Jordan James Bridge, the Rehearsal Director. It was fascinating to listen to the corrections and how a small change in movement made the story more believable.

Jill Samuels

ENBT Nutcracker dates:

• 28th October 2025 – Radlett Centre, Radlett Hertfordshire BOOK NOW
• 31st October 2025 – The Stag, Sevenoaks, Kent BOOK NOW
• 8th November 2025 – Campus West, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire BOOK NOW
• 18th-20th December 2025 – The Sainsbury Theatre, LAMDA, Hammersmith, London BOOK NOW