Danish Queen Designs "Nutcracker" Costumes

Denmark's Queen Margrethe II said on Thursday that she was nervous ahead of the premiere of "The Nutcracker", for which she has designed the sets and costumes.

 

[Queen Margrethe II of Denmark]:

"Everyone who has taken part in creating this performance has a responsibility for that the performance works and is successful. Therefore one feels nervous, otherwise one wouldn't be quite right in the head.”

 

The new production of "The Nutcracker" will situate the classic Christmas ballet with Tchaikovsky's music in Copenhagen in the era of Hans Christian Andersen. 

 

The project involves designing more than 100 costumes and four large stage sets for a cast of 36 dancers. 

 

The sets were built and painted in Copenhagen and the costumes sewn in London.

 

[Queen Margrethe II of Denmark]:

"After having done many sketches and had many thoughts, and suddenly one sees all the little things becoming big and real, and you feel 'yes - I think it's good. I got it.' And all the others who have been involved, when you realize that it is good. Then when the lights came on and the dancers came out on the stage, fantasy becomes reality in a way and each time I think it's fantastic.”

 

The queen has designed stage sets and costumes for the theatre since the late 1980s. 

 

Among her earlier work were scenes for four small productions at Tivoli's pantomime theatre from 2001 to 2009.

 

[Queen Margrethe II of Denmark]:

"I've gained experience after four, albeit small, productions, about how one creates and also what one should be aware of. Time will tell if it bears fruit.” 

 

"The Nutcracker" will open at the concert hall of Tivoli Gardens, the venerable Copenhagen amusement park, on November 22.

 

Twenty-eight performances are scheduled up to December 22.