Summer 2025 will be celebrated with an eagerly anticipated new production of the world’s most beloved ballet classic, The Nutcracker. Central to Christmas memories for generations of audiences, The Nutcracker is a timeless celebration of family, fantasy and growing up, where ‘home for Christmas’ is the most powerful magic of all.

A uniquely Kiwi touch transports our audiences to the nostalgia of childhood holidays at the beach in Act I, before being carried in Act II to the snowy Southern Alps, where we encounter a fairytale Kingdom of the Sweets – some of which may look quite familiar…

This new production will be created by RNZB Artistic Director Ty King-Wall, with costume designs by Tracy Grant-Lord (A Midsummer Night’s Dream,
The Firebird), lighting design by Jon Buswell (Swan Lake, The Firebird, Hansel & Gretel) and visual effects by POW Studios (Cinderella, Hansel & Gretel), all driven by the timeless magic of Tchaikovsky’s wonderful music.

Live orchestra will accompany performances in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland.