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At the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, Clara tiptoes downstairs and is swept away on an unforgettable magical journey…

At her parents’ lavish Christmas party, Clara is given a mysterious Nutcracker Doll. Once all the guests have left, she sneaks downstairs to find her present and comes face-to-face with the fearsome King Rat, ready to do battle with the Nutcracker and his band of toy soldiers. As soon as King Rat is vanquished, Clara is whisked away on a magical adventure with the Nutcracker, travelling through swirling snowflakes to an enchanting kingdom where she is transformed into the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Tchaikovsky’s glorious score, performed live by the 60-strong Royal Ballet Sinfonia, provides the captivating soundtrack to this festive classic.

This sumptuous and timeless production boasts daring swordfights, falling snow, magic, and a 30-foot Christmas tree. Whether you’re yearning for a hint of nostalgia or looking to start a whole new tradition for your family and friends, plan ahead ready to start your 2024 festive season in style.

Price

Tickets from £18.50

Prices and discounts subject to change

Running Time

Approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes including an interval

Age guidance

5+

Where?

Main Stage

Performances

Performances

Mon 18 Nov — Sun 24 Nov
  • Fri
    22 Nov
    7:30pm
    Gold BRB
    From: £38
  • Sat
    23 Nov
    2:30pm
    Gold BRB
    From: £38
    Limited Availability Book Now
  • Sat
    23 Nov
    7:30pm
    Gold BRB
    From: £38
  • Sun
    24 Nov
    1:00pm
    Gold BRB
    From: £38
Mon 25 Nov — Sun 1 Dec
  • Tue
    26 Nov
    7:30pm
    Bronze BRB
    From: £26
  • Wed
    27 Nov
    7:30pm
    Bronze BRB
    From: £26
  • Thu
    28 Nov
    2:00pm
    Bronze BRB
    From: £26
  • Thu
    28 Nov
    7:30pm
    Silver BRB
    From: £32
  • Fri
    29 Nov
    7:30pm
    Gold BRB
    From: £38
  • Sat
    30 Nov
    2:30pm
    Gold BRB
    From: £38
    Audio Described

    Audio Described

    If you are blind or partially sighted, listen to a live description of all the action with a discreet headset at this performance.

  • Sat
    30 Nov
    7:30pm
    Gold BRB
    From: £38
  • Sun
    1 Dec
    1:00pm
    Gold BRB
    From: £38
Mon 2 Dec — Sun 8 Dec
  • Tue
    3 Dec
    12:45pm
    Bronze BRB
    From: £18.50
    Relaxed Performance

    Relaxed Performance

    Our relaxed performances are open to all, but created for people with special needs who may find the theatre challenging. This includes people with an Autistic Spectrum Condition, learning disability, or sensory and communication disorder.

  • Wed
    4 Dec
    7:30pm
    Silver BRB
    From: £32
  • Thu
    5 Dec
    2:00pm
    Bronze BRB
    From: £26
  • Thu
    5 Dec
    7:30pm
    Silver BRB
    From: £32
  • Fri
    6 Dec
    7:30pm
    Gold BRB
    From: £38
  • Sat
    7 Dec
    2:30pm
    Gold BRB
    From: £38
  • Sat
    7 Dec
    7:30pm
    Gold BRB
    From: £38
  • Sun
    8 Dec
    1:00pm
    Gold BRB
    From: £38
Mon 9 Dec — Sun 15 Dec
Discounts & Concessions

CONCESSIONS

We offer a range of discounts and concessions to enable everyone to enjoy an affordable visit to Birmingham Hippodrome.

FAMILY OFFER

Up to 2 Under 16s HALF PRICE with every full-paying adult (limited availability).
Tue – Fri & Sun performances (excludes Price Band A and F)

GROUPS

Bronze performances
Groups 10+ save £5
Groups 20+ save £6 plus 1 FREE ticket

Silver performances
Groups 10+ save £6
Groups 20+ save £7 plus 1 FREE ticket

Gold performances – Fri & Sun
Groups 10+ save £4
Groups 20+ save £5 plus 1 FREE ticket

Call our dedicated Group Sales Team on 0844 338 7000* for more information and to book now!

CLICK HERE for further information on Group Bookings

EDUCATION ESTABLISHMENTS (Under 18)

Bronze and Silver perfs
Parties of 10 or more pay £20 each plus 1 ticket FREE for teacher/supervising adult for every 10 booked (Price Bands D-F). Free lolly per ticket (excl. free adult places)

For school bookings, please call Group Sales on 0844 338 7000* for more information and to book now! 

UNWAGED, UNDER 18 and OVER 65s

£3 off price band B, £4 off C-E
Bronze and Silver perfs (limited availability)

CONCESSIONS FOR PATRONS WITH DISABILITIES

£5 off standard price tickets in all seating areas.
2 for 1 for disabled patrons who require the service/support of a companion

CLICK HERE for more information on our Access Performances

STUDENT, PASSPORT TO LEISURE AND POSTCODE STANDBY

24 hours prior to a performance, best available seats for the lowest price, maximum 2 per booker, subject to availability

CLICK HERE for further information on our Standby Rate and our On the Day Postcode Scheme for Birmingham residents living in B6, B9, B10, B11 and B21

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Discounts and Concessions are offered subject to availability at the discretion of the Information and Sales Manager. Top three price bands only, unless otherwise stated. Restrictions may apply. Only one discount per ticket may apply, unless otherwise stated. Offers are non-retrospective and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Valid ID must be presented where applicable. Additional discounts may be offered from time to time.

Food & Drink

The Circle Lounge

Our newly refurbished, stylish space is the perfect place for pre-show dining. Join us for Afternoon Tea or in the evening for a menu of sharing platters, small plates and sweet treats all inspired by the Mediterranean.

The Proscenium Lounge

Add some VIP sparkle to your Hippodrome experience with a Diamond or Champagne package in our luxurious lounge.

The Kiosks

You’ll find kiosks in the foyers selling a range of confectionery, Marshfield ice creams (which can also be pre-ordered) and chilled soft drinks as well as the current show programme.

The Coffee Bar

Our Coffee Bar is open before the show and during the interval for hot and cold drinks, snacks or a quick and tasty bite to eat.

Accessible Performances

We strive to provide access for all

For dates of audio-described performances, please see below. These vary from show to show.

If you would like to book for any accessible performance, please make sure you are signed up to our access registration scheme here. Once registered, you will be able to book seats online, see only relevant seats and information based on your needs – plus choose any relevant discounts. If you would prefer not to book online, you can speak to our friendly access advisors on 0121 689 1060.

  • Touch Tour: Sat 30 Nov, 12.30pm. Touch Tours give visually impaired patrons the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the set, props and costumes. Tours must be booked in advance through Ticket Sales.
  • Audio Described: Sat 30 Nov, 2.30pm
  • Relaxed Performance: Tue 3 Dec, 12.45pm

Concessions for patrons with disabilities

£5 off standard price tickets in all seating areas.
2 for 1 for disabled patrons who require the service/support of a companion.
Limited availability.

Further information

Information about our access registration scheme here
About our accessible performances here
About our accessible facilities here
About our relaxed performances here

Synopsis

ACT I

It is Christmas Eve, and Dr Stahlbaum and his wife, a former ballerina, are giving a party. They have two children, Clara who is 15 and training to be a dancer, and her younger brother, Fritz. Mrs Stahlbaum has invited some of Clara’s friends from the ballet school who dance for the guests, after which they ask her to dance herself. She has also invited a magician, Drosselmeyer, to provide an entertainment. He brings gifts for the young children and gives a Nutcracker doll to Clara; she is fascinated by it and her belief that it has magical powers is confirmed when her brother breaks it and the doll strangely mends itself. The party comes to an end, the guests depart and the family retires to bed.

Unable to sleep, Clara creeps downstairs looking for the Nutcracker. As the clock strikes midnight, strange things begin to happen. The whole room seems to grow and grow, and a horde of giant rats led by their King attacks Clara. The Nutcracker springs to life and, summoning the toy soldiers, defends her – battle ensues.

Realising that the Nutcracker is about to be overpowered, Clara hits the Rat King with her shoe and he collapses. The Nutcracker falls exhausted to the ground, seemingly lifeless. Sadly, Clara takes him in her arms and tries to revive him. He gradually comes back to life and, to her amazement, has turned into a handsome Prince. He dances with her, then leads her to the Land of Snow where the Winds transport her into the night sky.

ACT II

Clara flies through the clouds and arrives in a strange place where a fantastic world is conjured up by Drosselmeyer. He shows her the sun, the moon, flowers and dancers from many different lands. The Rat King bursts in, but the Nutcracker Prince and Drosselmeyer banish him for ever. Drosselmeyer now puts on a grand entertainment in Clara’s honour as a reward for her bravery. She joins in many of the dances and is finally transformed into the Sugar Plum Fairy, the ballerina of her dreams. The Nutcracker Prince reappears and dances with her. As the dancing reaches its climax the dream world vanishes and Clara awakens at the foot of the Christmas tree.

"Delivers the wow-factor year on year"

Birmingham Post

"No other version comes close"

Sunday Times

"Ballet doesn't come much more Christmassy than Birmingham Royal Ballet's Nutcracker"

The Guardian

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