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12 Questions About The Nutcracker With Corps de Ballet member Tirion Law
December 17, 2021

Tirion Law in The Nutcracker. Photo by Karolina Kuras.

Adventure awaits when the clock strikes 12 midnight in James Kudelka’s The Nutcracker, which returns live to the Four Seasons Centre this holiday season. In honour of this magical hour, we asked Corps de Ballet member (and new Sugar Plum Fairy) Tirion Law to answer 12 fun questions about The Nutcracker!

1. 1

   For some children, The Nutcracker marks a first introduction to classical ballet. What was your first experience with it?
   I actually did not perform in any version of The Nutcracker as a little kid, so my first experience with it was when I joined the Hong Kong Ballet.

2. 2

   How many different versions of The Nutcracker have you performed since you started dancing?
   Just two: one at the Hong Kong Ballet and now James’ version for The National Ballet of Canada.

3. 3

   3. Which roles have you performed in James Kudelka’s staging for The National Ballet of Canada?
   Snowflakes, Waltz of the Flowers, Chocolate, Sheep and a Parent in the Family Scene. This year I’m adding Bee and the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Tirion Law in The Nutcracker. Photo by Karolina Kuras.

1. 4

   Is there a role that you haven’t had a chance to perform but would like to?
   I would love to try Coffee, but usually they cast taller dancers in that role!

2. 5

   There are so many props and moving parts in this production. Have you ever had a mishap?
   Not really, but the Snow Scene can be challenging because the confetti from the cannon is difficult to clean up and it makes the stage very slippery.

3. 6

   Do you have a favourite piece of music from Tchaikovsky’s score?
   I love the Snow Scene and Peter’s pas de deux with the Sugar Plum Fairy. They’re both so pretty and lovely to dance to. When the choir joins in during the Snow Scene it’s just beautiful.

4. 7

   The National Ballet can present over 25 performances of The Nutcracker each season. That’s a lot of shows! What gets you through?
   Good food! But truthfully, we all love The Nutcracker. It’s such a great production and since we’re doing different roles every show we always have something special to focus on.

5. 8

   Last season, the company was unable to perform The Nutcracker live. What did you miss most about the production?
   The camaraderie. This company is like a family and I missed that feeling of togetherness and cheering for each other every day.

6. 9

   There’s no shortage of tasty treats onstage during The Nutcracker. If you could sample a snack from one of the offerings, which would it be?
   Coffee because I love coffee!

7. 10

   With so much to look at in this glorious production, it can be difficult to catch all the details. What’s one subtle moment we should watch for?
   The Horse. It takes a lot of effort to make it look like real so it’s interesting to see how the dancers do it.

Siphesihle November and Tirion Law in The Nutcracker. Photo by Karolina Kuras.

1. 11

   The Snow Queen or The Sugar Plum Fairy?
   The Sugar Plum Fairy.

2. 12

   What’s your take: has Uncle Nikolai planned this adventure for Misha and Marie or is it all just a dream?
   It’s open to interpretation!

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