NOT the Nutcracker Suite
NMEDC Xmas Concert, December 2007
Concept and design by Ruth. Click to enlarge images.
Scene 1 - Clara's House: Above, from left - Clara (Dalia - right) dances with her friends at her Xmas Hafla. A shamadan dancer (Ileana) entertains the guests. Clara's mysterious godmother (Leonie) arrives with a special present for Clara, which she puts under the tree.
Scene 1 - Clara's House: Above, from left - Clara opens her present to discover a wonderful belly dancer doll. After farewelling her guests she falls asleep while playing with her doll and as the clock strikes twelve the doll is transformed into a real bellydancer (Maria). The Bellydancer invites Clara on a magical journey. She wraps Clara in her magic veil and they are transported away.
Scene 2 - The Land of Snow: Above, from left - The travellers are greeted by the Snow Queen (Kiara) and her entourage of Snowflakes. They perform the Dance of the Snowflakes.
Scene 2 - The Land of Snow: Above, from left - The Dance of the Snowflakes. The Snowguard Swordswomen arrive and dance with the Snow Queen before it is time for Clara and the bellydancer to continue their journey.
Scene 3 - The Land of Sweets: Above, from left - When Clara discovers that the bellydancer has brought her to visit the Land of Sweets she gets a little over-excited! The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (Ruth). Clara joins in the wacky Dance of the Sweets.
Scene 3 - The Land of Sweets: Above, from left - The naughty Candy Cane and Freckle have a duel. Clara and the bellydancer both perform while the Sweets and Sugar Plum Fairy look on.
Scene 3 - The Land of Sweets: Above, from left - Everyone joins in for one final dance together. 1 - Kit Kat, Candy Cane, Musk Stick, Coconut Ice, Lolly and two Freckles. 2 - Fairy Floss, Liquorice Allsort, Kit Kat. 3 - Bellydancer, Sugar Plum Fairy, Clara.
Scene 3 - The Land of Sweets: Above, left - the inhabitants of the Land of Sweets farewell the visitors as the Bellydancer wraps Clara in her magic veil to transport them back home. Scene 4 - Clara's House: Clara is distressed to learn that the Bellydancer must return to her doll form so the Bellydancer comforts her until she falls asleep. When she wakes she sees that the Bellydancer is once again a doll - she is glad to have the doll but she isn't sure if she dreamed the whole thing. But then she sees that the Bellydancer has left behind her magic veil - Clara dances happily, knowing that her magical adventure was real after all.
Credits:
Concept, story, design - Ruth
Stage Manager - Kim
Choreography:
Clara's Xmas Party Dance, Clara Gets a Present, Doll Comes to Life, Dance of the Snowflakes, Dance of the Sweets,
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Sweets Finale, Saying Goodbye, Clara's Last Dance - Ruth
Shamadan Dance - Ileana
Godmother's Dance and Present Giving, Snowguards Dance - Leonie
Snowguards Solos - Petrina, Raylee, Dona
Clara's Sweets Solo - Dalia and Dona
Bellydancer's Solo - Maria
Cast:
Clara - Dalia
Bellydancer - Maria
Shamadan dancer - Ileana
Godmother - Leonie
Snow Queen - Kiara
Snowflakes - Bonnie, Petrina, Annette, Raylee, Dona, Marlene, Donna, Rika, Reut
Snowguards - Belinda, Christine, Annette, Merrill, Margaret, Robyn, Rachel, Jackie
Sugar Plum Fairy - Ruth
Sweets - Candy Cane: Donna, Freckles: Nabila & Reut, Kit Kats: Raylee & Marlene, Musk Stick: Dona,
Lolly: Rika, Liquorice Allsort: Petrina, Fairy Floss: Annette, Coconut Ice: Yvette