Nutcracker returns for Christmas without most of the kids

The pitter-patter of little feet will be mostly missing fromthe Royal Winnipeg Ballet's (RWB)Nutcracker when it returns to Ottawa on Fridayafter a two-year absence.

TheSugar Plum Fairy and Mouse King will take the stage at the National Arts Centre (NAC), but dozens ofdancing polar bear cubs, prancing reindeerandangelsparts traditionally played by local kidshave been sidelined by COVID-19 safety precautions.

"I feel saddened that so many children, approximately 40 of them per show, are not able to be with us, but there are precautions we had to take," said RWB artistic directorAndr Lewis.

That leaves only threemain roles to be played by children: Clara, her friend Dieter andpesky little brother Julian.

Precautions difficult but necessary

When rehearsals began, children under 12 hadnot yet been approved for vaccination, so the ballet company and the NAC called off auditions for kids.

Lewis said the safety precautions were necessary to bring the treasured Christmas traditionback after a two-year hiatus brought on by the pandemic.

Lewis said even without the young performers, precautions had to be taken

"In our rehearsal processwe're all masked. We are all vaccinated.On stage, we will be able to perform without masks, but only once you're on stage."

WATCH | This year's Nutcracker to go ahead without local children as extra dancers:

This years Nutcracker to go ahead without local children as extra dancers

3 years ago

Duration 1:27

Andr Lewis, artistic director of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, says this years performance will take place without the local children who normally take the roles of the ballets extras in order to prevent a large gathering of unvaccinated dancers.

Local ballerinaVictoria Noisette, 12, will dance in the prized role of Clara, the little girl who loves her enchanted nutcracker doll.

The young dancer, whose surname happens toresemble the ballet's French title, believes she wasdestined to play the role.

"Dreams do come true because since I was a little girl, I always wanted to be Clara," said Noisette.

Addingto thepressure

During the pandemic, Noisetterehearsedher part at home before a screen, but this week she's had the opportunity to perfect hermoves with Lewis at TheSchool of Dance in Ottawa.

As one of only a few children on stage, she admits to feelingadded pressure.

"I'm nervous because you don't get to really watch anybody else at your age to do the dance, you're just the only one," said Noisette.

"It feels like I'm almost being put in the spotlight," agreedFindlay Davies,12, who plays Dieter.

Davies saidhe feels sorry for the kids who are missing out this year, "but next year I bet a lot of great dancers will be on stage."

Both Noisette and Davies are vaccinated, while 10-year-oldEmily Davis, who plays the role of Julian, will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 testbefore and after each performance.

The lavish costumes, setsand familiar choreography of Nutcrackerremain this year, but some scenes have been trimmed.

"It's still going to be a wonderful production, is still going to touch your heart," said Lewis. "But we'll have we have do it differently. It's abetter step than last year where we could not do Nutcracker."