I took my niece through to Glasgow yesterday afternoon to see the Scottish Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker at the Theatre Royal. I’ve loved ballet since I was a little girl and I was hoping my niece would love it as much as I do but I don’t think that’s going to happen.

She said she enjoyed it but she wasn’t exactly bubbling over with enthusiasm so it looks like I’m destined to be a solo act. I don’t know anyone who likes ballet so I haven’t been to a lot of performances but I’m thinking I’m just going to start going on my own. That way I don’t have to worry about boring anyone to death.

I gotta say I love the Scottish Ballet since seeing quite a few of their ballets when I was a student so I know they are worth seeing. The first time I saw them perform The Nutcracker, it was the classical saccharine one complete with snow and sugar plums, which gets a lot of criticism but I love all that sugary goodness. It’s perfect for Christmas!

The SB’s new version of the ballet was launched about five years ago and is based on the original German tale so is much darker. The ballet is set in Germany during the 1920s and the costumes of the Stahlbaum family reflect that. The first act of the play is more about acting and very little dancing, while the second act gives more dancing and some stunning costumes. My favourite was the orchid danced by Tomomi Sato, who is just perfect. She glides effortlessly over the stage and looks as light as a feather. She was the original Maria (Clara) when the ballet was first launched and appears as Maria again in some performances this season. She really stood out for me and I guess that’s why she is a principal dancer with the company.

I’m thinking about getting tickets for their Romeo and Juliet production in the Spring.