Well, the last of the swan feathers have been packed up for Nagoya and all attention is firmly pointed towards Nutcracker – The Story of Clara. Tuesday saw everyone let loose to the four corners of Tokyo and beyond and there was much exercising of credit cards as the retail districts of Shibuya, Harajuku and Ginza were well patronised by Australian fashionistas. There were others who ventured further afield to the joys of Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea, and even some who bullet-trained themselves to Kyoto or went to Mt Fuji to experience the more cultural side of this great country.
But yesterday and today it was back to the what’s been affectionately nicknamed the ‘Bento Box’ studio. We had the first full rehearsals with both the ‘emigres’ and ‘children’ for Graeme Murphy’s very Australian Nutcracker. Both were outstanding – the centuries of combined stagecraft from the ‘emigres’ and the youthful energy of the young ones – irresistible!
The tech crew have been doing an amazing job getting this mammoth production onto the stage. It’s the first time this production has been performed outside Oz so there’s a big day ahead. It is fascinating to see the rows and rows of costumes strategically placed around the corridors … my favourite is the rat heads that greet you as you arrive down the stairs from stage door!
Nutcracker – The Story of Clara opens in Tokyo tonight
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