BALLET & DANCE

The Nutcracker

SCHEDULE

  • Fri, 19 December 2025, 19:00
  • Sat, 20 December 2025, 13:00
  • Sat, 20 December 2025, 18:00
  • Sun, 21 December 2025, 14:00
  • Tue, 23 December 2025, 19:00
  • Wed, 24 December 2025, 19:00
  • Thu, 25 December 2025, 19:00
  • Show More

2025/2026 SEASON

New Production

OPERA PALACE

19 Dec, 2025 - 4 Jan, 2026 ( 18 Performances )

Running time is approx. 2 hours 15 mins including intervals
Booking Opens: Sun, 19 Oct 2025, 10:00am

DETAILS

The Nutcracker is a winter tradition at the New National Theatre Tokyo -- a long-beloved work evolving through different versions over the years since the theatre first opened. In the 2025/2026 Season, English choreographer Will Tuckett has created an original new production for the New National Theatre Tokyo. Developing not only in ballet but also in theatre and cross-genre works mixing various other artistic forms, Will Tuckett has won numerous awards, including an Olivier Award, and is globally active. This is the second work that he has created for the National Ballet of Japan, following the world premiere of The Tragedy of Macbeth in 2023. Together with Colin Richmond, the set and costume designer who also worked on The Tragedy of Macbeth, Tuckett creates a sweet and colourful world for The Nutcracker. We hope that you will enjoy this special event, set to be a new holiday tradition perfect for celebrating the Christmas, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day season.

SYNOPSIS

It is Christmas Eve, and the Stahlbaum family—Dr. and Mrs. Stahlbaum, their adolescent daughter Clara, and her mischievous younger brother Fritz—are preparing for their annual Christmas party. In town, Clara’s godfather Drosselmeyer works in his clockmaker’s shop, preparing gifts and magical entertainments with his Nephew as his assistant.

The party begins, a grand affair with excited guests. Drosselmeyer and his Nephew arrive, and after the children dance, Drosselmeyer’s entertainment dazzles the crowd with tricks, automata, and a soldier doll chasing a puppet mouse. Drosselmeyer gives Clara a Nutcracker doll, but jealous Fritz accidentally breaks it. The Nephew says he will return to fix Clara’s Nutcracker. Clara is charmed by the Nephew’s kindness and carefully places the doll in her dollhouse before she goes to bed.

Late at night, Clara creeps downstairs to check on the Nutcracker but is attacked by giant mice. Drosselmeyer appears, scaring them away and transforming the room. A battle ensues between mice and toy soldiers led by the Nutcracker. The Nutcracker is injured, but Clara saves the day. Drosselmeyer transforms the Nutcracker into a Prince, and alongside Clara they dance to a land of snowflakes.

They then travel across a sea of chocolate to the Kingdom of Sweets, where Clara is crowned the Sugar Plum Fairy. All the kingdom of Sweets celebrate with delightful dances and Clara as Sugar Plum Fairy dances with her Prince. After leaving the court with Drosselmeyer, Clara fell asleep.

Early On Christmas morning, Drosselmeyer lays a dreaming Clara at the foot of the Christmas tree. His Nephew appears with tools to fix the Nutcracker. Clara awakens and gives the Nephew a warm hug of thanks and Dr Stahlbaum wishes them all a very happy Christmas.

CREATIVE TEAM & CAST

CREATIVE TEAM

Choreography by Will TUCKETT after Lev IVANOV
Music by Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
Music arranged by Martin YATES
Set and Costume Designer: Colin RICHMOND

CAST

Conductors: Martin YATES / TOMITA Misato
Orchestra: Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

  • CREATIVE TEAM
  • CAST
  • Will TUCKETT
    Choreography by
    Will TUCKETT
    Martin YATES
    Music arranged by
    Martin YATES
    Colin RICHMOND
    Set and Costume Designer
    Colin RICHMOND
  • Martin YATES
    Conductor
    Martin YATES
    TOMITA Misato
    Conductor
    TOMITA Misato

TICKETS

  • S
    ¥15,950
  • A
    ¥13,750
  • B
    ¥10,450
  • C
    ¥8,250
  • D
    ¥6,050
  • Z
    ¥1,650
SEATING PLAN

Box Office: +81-(0)3-5352-9999

10:00 - 18:00

Booking Opens: Sun, 19 Oct 2025, 10:00am

*Tickets for the performances on the 28th at 14:00 are only sold at the Ticket Agent Pia.

Booking Z seats (Day tickets) 1,650 yen

  • You are able to purchase Z seat tickets online from 10:00 am. Click "BUY TICKETS" next to "Z" under each performance information.
  • There is a handling charge of ¥330 (incl. tax).
  • Only when seats allocated as Z seats are still available at 11:00 am, you are able to purchase these tickets at the Box Office of the theatre.
  • Note that all Z seats are on a first come, first served basis and will come with restricted views.

Concession Prices

Under 15s discounts and Z seats (Day Tickets) are available online. Other types of discount tickets are not available online. Please inquire at the Box Office or by telephone.

Please Note

  • Latecomers will not be admitted to the auditorium unless there is a suitable break or interval.
  • No admittance to children under 4. Each child older than this age requires a ticket for entry, even when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
  • Tickets may not be changed or refunded except in the case of a cancelled performance.
  • A special discount price is available for disabled guests. Please inquire at the Box Office for details.
  • Users of wheelchairs are requested to contact the Box Office.
  • Please note that cast or programme change may be required depending on the situation.
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