The Ryman Healthcare season of
The Nutcracker
30 Oct – 20 Dec 2025
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 set and 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.
Pre-Performance Talk
Q&A Session
Warm Up, Curtain Up!
Pre-Performance Talk
Q&A Session
Warm Up, Curtain Up!
Pre-Performance Talk
Q&A Session
Warm Up, Curtain Up!
Credits
Choreography
Ty King-Wall, after Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov
Music
Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Set & Costume Design
Tracy Grant Lord
Lighting Design
Jon Buswell
Projections
POW Studios
Conductor
Hamish McKeich
Orchestras
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia