reviewvancouver, Goh-Nutcracker

The Goh Ballet Nutcracker is a holiday treat with beautiful dance and sparkling costumes.

The timeless holiday classic was led by Choreographer Anna- Maria Holmes with music from the legendary Tchaikovsky. Chan Hon Goh, Canada’s former premier ballerina ---and current artistic director of the accomplished Goh Ballet Academy, served as ---executive producer of the ballet performance run.

The Goh Ballet Nutcracker is truly an international and multi-cultural performance of beauty and superb talent.

It was a dance treat to watch the superb ballet dancers from Montreal, Ukraine, China and local rising dance stars of tomorrow.

The performance featured lead dancer Maude Sabourin from Les Grande Ballet Canadiens de Montreal. In the role of sugar plum fairy, she was visually superb and technically precise.

The role of Cavalier Prince was performed with aplomb and energy by Felixovich Morante also with Les Grande Ballet Canadiens.

The role of Drosselmeyer was danced by guest artist, Adonis Daukaev, originally from Ukraine.

Additional guest artists included Shen Lexuan in the role of Nutcracker. Shen is a stylish and tall dancer with acrobatic movement. He is a graduate of the National Ballet of China Dance School. Tan Jinze, in the role of Snow King, is a beautiful, refined dancer who attracts immediate attention with his fluid, delicate movement. Wang Yiren, in the role of Snow Queen is elegance defined.

Naturally the young dancers of the Goh Ballet were lovely to watch with their energy and precise talent for stylish movement. Rising stars included Owen Tang, Joseph Lee and Chloe Lucas.

The costumes were sparkling, colorful and stylish along with visually imaginative sets and special mention goes to set and costume designers Dinghao Zhang and Ming Li.

Conductor Leslie Dala skillfully led the commanding Vancouver Opera Orchestra.

The Goh Ballet Academy led by the gracious Chan Hon Goh has produced a superb Nutcracker that has become a ballet tradition in Vancouver. The full house at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre enthusiastically agree.