The Nutcracker & Resolutions?

Quite a few years ago I went to see Swan Lake at Leeds Grand Theatre. I've always loved going to see musicals and plays, but I'd never seen a ballet. I did used to do ballet and tap when I was a child, though my dancing nowadays generally involves copious amounts of alcohol but I still find it great fun. When thinking back to Swan Lake, I remember being so enthralled by the experience and I'd have given anything to join the dancers onstage. Props to those dancers too, the amount of time they have to stay contorted in those positions looks excruciating. Roll on a few years later and I'm back at The Grand, only this time the production is The Nutcracker.

For anyone who doesn't know, the ballet is based on the book, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King which is about a little girl who receives a Nutcracker on Christmas Eve. The music for the ballet was composed by Tchaikovsky, who also composed the score for Swan Lake. How can you go wrong?

As before, the choreography was completely 'en pointe' ... (I'll let myself out) as were the orchestra. The costumes were brilliantly eye catching and I really have no ideas how some of the ballerinas performed in their gowns. The set was pretty basic, though I felt it needed to be since there's so many things happening at once. There were parts which definitely felt like blink and you'll miss it moments.

Unsurpsingly, I found that my favourite scene was the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. I could've just spent two hours watching that to be honest, though it did leave me feeling like quite the unflexible walrus.

If you're a first time theatre goer with a short attention span, then I really think this production could be for you. The show is two hours long and it honestly flies by - providing you don't get a numb bum. It's a great way to start or end your Christmas, so I whole heartedly recommend booking tickets for 2016.

Lastly, happy 2016! I had a bit of a whirlwind in 2015, a new fulltime job meant that I had to balance my work and social life well, which can be very stressful indeed. Last year I mentioned how my only resolution was to donate blood. Which I was successful in doing! I'm donating again in February and I've managed to drag a friend along this time - good luck Charlotte!

This year I've made three promises to myself. My only proper hobby at the moment is blogging and since I'm sat on my bum most of the day, I'm hoping to do something more active with my freetime. I don't think toning my legs on the dancefloor will cut it somehow, so I've decided I'm going to join some form of class. Dancing, running? Who knows! But I will be more active this year. Secondly, I'm going to try and procrastinate less. This will be a tough one for me because I leave everything to the last minute, but this year I'm hoping to be far more proactive with my work. Lastly I'm aiming to finally pass my driving test. Fingers crossed on that one!

I wish everyone well in 2016 and I hope you all have an amazing year. 

Victoria ♥