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Unfinished Revolutions: Exploring the living legacy of 1776

Clara & The Nutcracker

Immersive Experience
A Northern Ballet, 4Pi Productions, and Schwarzman Centre Production
10 Dec 2026 - 24 Dec 2026
10 Dec 2026
-
24 Dec 2026

Clara & The Nutcracker brings to life a beloved Christmas story in a whole new way.

Taking place in our Black Box space, this fulldome immersive experience is inspired by David Nixon CBE's The Nutcracker. It features captivating 360-degree footage of Northern Ballet’s world-class dancers and behind the scenes footage captured by 4Pi Productions, alongside richly animated fantasy scenes and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra and delivered in surround sound.

Clara & The Nutcracker – Immersive Experience blends tradition with innovation, warmth and wonder. Shaped by research from humanities academics at the University of Oxford and designed for all ages, from families and newcomers to dance lovers and seasoned culture-goers, it offers a thrilling new way for all to experience a timeless festive classic. 

Discover the magic of Clara's journey from the inside out and explore dance in a whole new way, up close, all around you, and beyond the stage. 

 

What is a fulldome experience?

A fulldome experience is an immersive type of film presentation where images are projected onto the entire inside surface of a dome-shaped screen, surrounding the audience above and around them. Unlike traditional flat film screens, fulldome create a 360° visual and audio environment, making you feel like you're inside the film rather than watching it from the outside.

Running time:
40 minutes

Suitable for all ages


Unreserved seating 

 

Contains sequences with flashing light effects that may affect people susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy or other light sensitivities. 

 

Credits

Performers

Clara – Rachel Gillespie

The Nutcracker – Harris Beattie

Louise/Sugar Plum Fairy – Saeka Shirai

James/Cavalier – Jonathan Hanks

Recorded soundtrack performed by BBC Concert Orchestra 



Creatives

Creative Directors – Janire Najera and Matthew Wright 

Original choreographer, director, costume designer and scenario – David Nixon CBE 

Set Design – Charles Cusick Smith 

Composer – Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky 

Movement Director – Gavin McCaig

Conductor – Daniel Parkinson 

Pianist – Colin Scott

Sound designer – Deri Roberts

360 Capture – Emily Nuttall  

Editor/CG – Mauricio Martin  

Filmmaker – Rhys Davies

CG Artist – Jamie Wilson  

Wigs and make-up – Harriet Rogers

Wardobe Manager – Ellie Kemp

Technical director – Steve Wilkins


Academic partners

Professor Joanna Neilly, Associate Professor, Fellow and Tutor in German, St Peter's College, Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages 

Professor Phillip Bullock, Professor of Russian Literature and Music, Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages 

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