Nutcracker ice skating scene

Nutcracker ice skating scene

1. Choreography

   • A low center of gravity, posture forward, sliding steps and swinging arms create the effect of Ice skating
   • Cross hand holds creates the impression of gliding
   • Skirts are shaken by the dances to show a speed of which they are travelling on ice - that they are fluttering in the wind
   • Circular and linking patterns sowing futhermore that the dancers are skating
   • Male dancers move backwards rapidly to look like the women are travelling at high speed even though they are stationary on the stage.
   • Clara throws herself onto the giant pillow - a reminder which suggests that she is in her bed dreaming these scenes.

2. Costume

   • Clara wears her orphanage nightclothes but other orphans wear skating outfits from a variety of historical periods
   • Each dancer has an individual style
   • Princess sugar is dressed in pink , the same colour as her doll from earlier in the performance
   • You can still tell adult from child as Matron is wearing a full length skirt not a knee length skirt which the orphans are wearing. This reflects the historical era.

3. Accompaniment

   • Music illustrates the falling of snow and the blizzard. The opening notes represent the first flakes of the snow
   • Trills on the piccolo and bells' chime represent a chill in the air and the sparkling of the snow
   • Symbols crash as the tempo build into a climax which is the snow whipping into drifts and getting heavier
   • Bourne uses the music to show the magical vision of the frozen pond and the new found freedom that the children have
   • The music accompanied the storm underpins the sense of betrayal and emotional turmoil of Clara's feelings

4. Lighting

   • Smoke enhances the moment by disguising the feet to represent ice being sprayed or to show the speed of travel and it makes the whole scene a little more realistic.
   • Snow begins to fall and the children react realistically and individually. Some throw the snow , try to catch it , eat it
   • Lighting is kept dim to keep the snow looking magical and illuminating