Nutcracker
Dive head-on into a glittering wonderland at the show that’s as ‘clever, cute and compact as a Terry’s Chocolate Orange’ (Evening Standard).
This 'fun alternative to the usual Nutcracker experience' (The Stage) transports Tchaikovsky’s classic Christmas ballet from the concert hall to the heart of a brand-new, super cool Southbank Centre performance space: the Tuff Nutt Jazz Club.
It features choreography by Olivier Award-winner Drew McOnie, six zesty dancers from the McOnie Company, with a live jazz band performing the score, brilliantly adapted by Mercury Prize-nominated musician Cassie Kinoshi.
The audience gets right up close to the action, where the Sugar Plum Fairy is joined by some new faces, including Action Man, for an hourlong, sequin-filled ‘snowstorm of fun’ (Time Out).
Following performances on Thursday – Sunday, audiences are invited to continue their evening at the Tuff Nutt Jazz Club's Nutcracker Nights, with live sessions from leading musicians playing into the night.
The cast for Nutcracker includes Amonik Melaco, Sam Salter, Mark Samaras and Patricia Zhou with Chanelle Anthony, Christie Crosson, Tim Hodges, Lukas Hunt and Rachel Muldoon.
It was composed by Cassie Kinoshi, with additional music by Rio Kai; venue and set design is by Soutra Gilmour; costume design by Ryan Dawson Laight; music supervision by Benjamin Kwasi Burrell; lighting design by Joshie Harriette; sound design by Simon Baker; and casting by Will Burton, CDG.
‘It’s Nutcracker, dance fans, but not as we know it. Heaps of fun’
‘A Christmas dream of love that goes with a swing’
‘Everyone finally gets the chance to embrace their inner Sugar Plum Fairy’
‘It’s an absolute joy . . . a cunningly condensed one-hour wonder’
‘Grab a ticket if you want a genuinely new take on the traditional tale.’
Need to know
For ages 6+. Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult.
Audio Description is available during the performances on Wed 20 Dec at 7.30pm.
A Sensory Adapted performance takes place on Sun 26 Nov at 2pm, preceded by a Touch Tour, which begins at 1pm.
All toilets in this venue are accessible. The venue is located at street level on the Belvedere Road side of the Royal Festival Hall, and is fully accessible.
If you arrive at the venue from across Waterloo Bridge or Golden Jubilee Bridge, please use the Royal Festival Hall JCB Glass Lift to Level 1 and enter via Southbank Centre Square.
Talk to a member of staff at the auditorium entrance if you have a disability that means you can’t queue, or you need extra time to take your seat. They can arrange priority entry for you as soon as the doors open.
Download step-free access map
You can join our free Access Scheme through your online Southbank Centre account or via email.
Find out more about our Access Scheme
All our Access & facilities information
Casting subject to change.
Late Show tickets include exclusive access to Nutcracker Nights. Join us after the show when the Tuff Nutt Jazz Club comes alive with an additional hour of live jazz music. The bar is open, the music’s live and the dance floor is ready. Late Shows take place every Thursday to Saturday as well as Sunday 3, Sunday 10 and Sunday 17 December.
Find out more about Nutcracker Nights
Top-price tickets are sold in pairs, as these are cabaret tables with one complimentary drink (house beer, wine, prosecco or soft drink) included per person. Table tickets also include pre-show table service, so that you can enjoy the Tuff Nutt Jazz Club without leaving your seat. Drinks tokens are available on arrival at the Tuff Nutt Jazz Club. Make sure to arrive early to make the most of this experience.
There are a limited number of standing seats allocated at the rear of Stalls 1 on the seating map. Standing positions are only suitable for people 163cm or taller due to their location in the venue.
Tuff Nutt Jazz Club venue information
Opening times: Opens to ticket holders 60 minutes before an event. Closed at all other times. Entry for latecomers can’t be guaranteed. Please arrive 30 minutes before the event starts.
Location: The Tuff Nutt Jazz Club can be found on the Belvedere Road side of the Royal Festival Hall. There is one main entrance facing onto Southbank Centre Square, which is fully accessible.
Cloakroom: There are no cloakroom facilities available at this venue. Please leave large bags at home.
Booking: Pre-booking online is recommended. There’s no need to print your e-ticket – just show your phone to our Visitor Assistants on entry.
Your e-ticket will be sent to you seven days before the event date from [email protected]. If you don't receive your e-ticket, and it's not in your junk or spam folder, please get in touch on [email protected]
Find out all you need to know about tickets, including concessions, group bookings, returns, credit vouchers and more, via the link below.
Frequently asked questions
This performance features flashing light effects.
Dates & times
28 Oct 2023 – 6 Jan 2024, 2pm, 4pm, 5pm, 5:30pm, 7.30pm & 8:30pm
Approximate run time: 60 mins
Price
£140* cabaret table for 2
£57.50, £50, £40* standard entry
£20, £15* standing tickets
Late Show tickets include exclusive access to Nutcracker Nights
Thu – Sat 7.30pm & 8.30pm & Sun 3, 10 & 17 Dec, 5pm
(excludes 28 Oct, 2 – 4 Nov)
£160* cabaret table for 2
Standard entry £67.50, £60, £45*
6+ Groups (excludes 23 Dec 2023 - 2 Jan 2024)
£57.50 tickets reduced to £35* (Tue, Wed & Thu performances)
£60 tickets reduced to £45* (Thu (Lates), Fri, Sat & Sun performances)
School Groups student tickets are £10*, plus one free teacher ticket for every ten students (Jan 2 - 4, Fri 5 Jan 4pm only). All bookings must be made by phone or email. The discounted rate only applies to schools. To book tickets for school groups, email [email protected] or call us on 020 3879 9555
*Excludes £3.50 booking fee.
Concessions 25%**
**Limited availability. Read about concessions.
Tickets can only be sold through the Southbank Centre and our authorised agents, and can't be resold. If your plans change, you're welcome to exchange your tickets for another performance within the run of Nutcracker. If you have purchased tickets through one of the authorised ticket agents, please refer to your original point of purchase. Tickets resold on any third-party platforms will become invalid.
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