Acclaimed English choreographer Will Tuckett created an original new production of The Nutcracker for the National Ballet of Japan in the 2025/2026 season. Developing not only in ballet but also in theatre and cross-genre works mixing various other artistic forms, Tuckett has won numerous awards, notably an Olivier Award, and is globally active. Together with a creative team of widely recognized artists such as the designer Colin Richmond, his Nutcracker is full of authentic beauty of classical ballet in a sweet and colourful world full of wit and charm. The auditorium was full every evening, with huge applause for this enchanting world.

Viewing Period: 6 June, 19:00 CET / 7 June, 2:00 JST - 31 December, 12:00 CET / 20:00 JST

Recorded on 25 December, 2025
Performed at Opera Palace, New National Theatre Tokyo

• Creative staff & Cast

Choreography by Will TUCKETT after Lev IVANOV
Music by Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
Music Adaptations by Martin YATES
Set and Costume Designer: Colin RICHMOND
Lighting Designer: SATO Satoshi
Projection Designer: Douglas O' CONNELL
Illusions: Chris FISHER
Illusion Associate: Real-Magician RYOTA

Clara/ Sugar Plum Fairy: YONEZAWA Yui
Drosselmeyer's Assistant / Nutcracker Prince: WATANABE Takafumi
Drosselmeyer: FUKUOKA Yudai
Dancing Mistress/ Rat Queen: NEGISHI Yui
Candy Floss: HANAGATA Yuzuki
Jelly: UKA Hiroyuki, KIKUOKA Yuma
Lead Candy Cane: IINO Moeko
Popcorn: KAMINAKA Yuki, YAMADA Yuki, HIGUCHI Hibiki
Fondant Rose Couple: NAOTSUKA Miho, KINOSHITA Yoshito

Artists of The National Ballet of Japan, NNT Ballet School and Japan Junior Ballet

Conductor: Martin YATES
Orchestra: Tokyo Philharmonic
Chorus: The Little Singers of Tokyo