The Nutcracker, English National Ballet, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton

THE NUTCRACKER has firmly established itself as part of the Christmas tradition, and rightly so.

I have seen many productions over the years. They have varied somewhat, with different interpretations of the story and of the characters.

Now cartoonist Gerald Scarfe has collaborated with ENB in the concept and design of this ballet to produce something that is more relevant to today's audiences, though staying true to the spirit of the original.

Tchaikovsky's glorious music remains the same, played superbly by the ENB orchestra. But we have a more contemporary version of the story, with terrorist mice and a frisky grandfather!

The first act is hugely entertaining, and in particular Grandpa, danced by Kevin Richmond, completely steals the show with the help of his lady friend, Ms V Aggra (Jane Haworth).

The transition phase at the end of the act, as Clara (Alice Crawford) is about to be whisked away to the Kingdom of Sweets, is perhaps the most innovative, with snowflakes leaping out of a giant fridge and a large 'paper' bird transporting Clara and her prince.

In this production, The Kingdom of Sweets is set in a knickerbocker glory mountain range.

The dances that impressed the most were the sensational Arabian Dance, with a sensual dancer emerging from blue feather fans, and the Bonbons, with dancers wearing huge Nutcracker heads or dressed as parcels.

The pas de deux between the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker Prince always provides a 'tingle factor', largely thanks to Tchaikovsky's impassioned music.

To sum up, this is a wonderful evening of colour, humour, superb dancing and glorious music - catch it if you can!

The Nutcracker runs at the Mayflower Theatre until Saturday, December 11.