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A Christmas Classic: Kittiwake Dance Theatre celebrates 30 years of The Nutcracker

After three decades of ballet dancing, Kittiwake Dance Theatre wanted to shake up its version of The Nutcracker by adding live music.

Special performance features live orchestra and choir

Kittiwake Dance Theatre's version of the Nutcracker turns 30

8 years ago
Duration 1:59
Special show will feature live music for the Christmas classic.

After three decades of ballet, Kittiwake Dance Theatre wanted to shake up its version of The Nutcracker by adding live music. 

For the Sunday night show the dancers will be joined by the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra and members of Shallaway Youth Choir.

"It makes it a little bit more interesting," artistic director Martin Vallée said. 

"The great thing about it is that there is kind of a synergy that happens when music is done live with dancers. Everybody really has to pay attention to each other, really stay in the moment. That is actually a great experience for everybody."

Kittiwake Dance Theatre's artistic director Martin Vallée gives a little instruction before the show. (Jeremy Eaton/CBC)

More than 200 dancers from 17 local dance schools have been cast in the Christmas production.

They will be joined by guest stars from the Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada, Yuriko Diyanova and Peter Lancksweerdt. 

Members of the Kittiwake Dance Theatre practice a lift prior to Saturday's show. (Jeremy Eaton/CBC)

In the second act, CBC reporter Meghan McCabe makes a special appearance. 

You can see a behind the scenes look at the show in the video above.