- Interesting for people aged 12+
Back to the roots – Marco Goecke's reinterpretation of Tchaikovsky's ‹Nussknacker›
Marco Goecke's choreography offers a new interpretation of the ballet classic ‹Der Nussknacker› that breaks with conventional expectations. With his unmistakable signature style, Goecke transports the audience into a fascinating world between dream and reality – far removed from the usual sentimental Christmas idyll.
Instead of glittering nostalgia, Goecke brings to the fore the dark, imaginative, and psychologically complex aspects of E.T.A. Hoffmann's original fairy tale. His production illuminates the inner conflicts and longings of the protagonist Marie—a girl whose vivid imagination is misunderstood by the adult world as an illness. Through Marie's eyes, a cosmos full of whimsy, dark romanticism, and poetic abysses unfolds – always accompanied by subtle humor and emotional depth.
The Ballet Basel ensemble brings this multi-layered vision to the stage with great expressiveness and stylistic precision. Basel conductor Thomas Herzog provides the musical brilliance, guiding the Basel Symphony Orchestra through Tchaikovsky's famous original score. In doing so, he reveals hidden facets of the colorful music – from the floating lightness of the «Waltz of the Flowers» to the glittering celesta sounds in the «Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy». With this orchestral ballet, Ballet Basel offers its audience a new perspective on one of the most famous works in music history – while at the same time evoking a belief in oneself and in the idea that being different is not a flaw.
Mediathek
- Musikalische Leitung –
- Nachdirigat –
- Choreographie –
- Bühne und Kostüme –
- Entwicklung der Projektionen –
- Lichtdesign –
- Dramaturgie –
- Licht –
Christian Foskett
- Marie –
- Fritz, Maries Bruder –
- Der alte Nussknacker –
- Der neue Nussknacker –
- Drosselmeier –
- König der Ratten –
- Der Fuchs –
- Die Zuckerfee –
- Die Schneekönigin –
- Zwei Puppen –
- Puppen- und Zuckerwelt –
-
Erasmus-Studentinnen –
Sanne Vree
- Ballett Basel
- Sinfonieorchester Basel
- Statisterie Theater Basel
Thank you!
With the kind support of our medical partner, the Kantonsspital Baselland
Before the premiere
Shortly before the premiere, during the final rehearsals, we invite you to an exclusive preview. In an introduction, you will meet the artistic team and learn more about the play, the material, and the production. Afterward, you will attend a stage rehearsal.
Follow-up discussion
A discussion will follow the performance on January 18, 2026.
Ballett Basel invites you to visit its training centre for an insight into the daily work of the ballet company: take a look over the shoulders of the Ballett Theater Basel dancers during their daily training and get a close-up view of the «athletic» start to the day. This not only serves to warm up the muscles for the following day's rehearsals, but is also essential for maintaining fitness, technical aptitude and preventing injuries. It also gives an impression of how much discipline, constant work, passion and joy there is in dance.