Ballet dancer Nikolai Tsiskaridze is raising questions about the Nutcracker production at the Bolshoi Theatre, suggesting to viewers that the presentation may not be giving them the full truth. He discussed his concerns during an interview with the NTV television channel, speaking as someone who has spent a lifetime inside the world of dance and knows what audiences expect from a classic ballet performance.
Tsiskaridze expressed deep disappointment that a piece he grew up with and that holds a central place in the history of Russian ballet did not reach the standard that fans and practitioners alike deserve. He warned that some viewers could be misled by what they see on stage, emphasizing a gap between tradition and current execution that he believes weakens the artistry presented to the audience.
He added a pointed remark about the physical strain involved in performing multiple shows in a short period. It is not easy, he noted, for dancers to sustain the energy and precision required for consecutive performances, especially when costume constraints like a snowflake’s corset add considerable pressure. The result, in his view, can be a visible impact on the dancers’ legs and overall performance quality, which he described with stark honesty as a real pain point for those who care about the craft.
There has been previous public criticism from Tsiskaridze directed at Bolshoi Theatre management regarding the Nutcracker production. His comments reflect a broader debate about artistic leadership, resource allocation, and the balancing act between maintaining a storied national treasure and meeting contemporary expectations of technique, storytelling, and production values.
Earlier remarks also touched on the broader context in which the Russian ballet world operates, noting that the standards within the art form experienced a notable shift well before any external sanctions. He pointed to a legacy of evolving training approaches, repertoire choices, and performance pressures that together shape how audiences experience classical works like the Nutcracker. In Russia, there was mention of a so-called Nutcracker Index used to gauge the sustainability and integrity of the production, highlighting how metrics and public perception intersect in the realm of national ballet culture.