DANCE

THE NUTCRACKER

After a £1 million makeover, Birmingham Royal Ballet’s festive staple is back. Created by Peter Wright in 1990, it’s the most gasp-inducing Nutcracker you could hope to see. Birmingham Hippodrome (brb.org. uk), until Dec 10

THE SNOW QUEEN

Based on the 1844 Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale (which also inspired a certain Frozen), Scottish Ballet’s pacy, entertaining, familyfriendly 2019 confection makes a welcome return.

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh (scottishballet.co.uk), until Dec 10 and touring

MATTHEW BOURNE’S SLEEPING BEAUTY

A vampiric Lilac Fairy! A cherubic, unheimlich puppet as the young Aurora! Tchaikovsky’s marvel of a score! What’s not to like about Bourne’s 2012 popular reworking? Sadler’s Wells, London EC1 (sadlerswells.com), until Jan 15

THE NUTCRACKER

Veteran choreographer-producer Peter Wright’s beautiful 1984 production for the Royal Ballet (very different from his BRB one), takes its annual bow at Covent Garden. Royal Opera House, London WC2 (roh.org.uk), in rep Tues-Jan 14