“Details were really important to Mr. C,” says Peter Christie, who danced with Ballet West in the early 80s and is now the Director of Education and Community Outreach. “For instance, in the Mouse scene, it was important for him to see your character—each mouse has its own personality. And, he really wanted to see those mice fingers—that is where you can see a lot of personality.”
Most company dancers in The Nutcracker play multiple roles each night.
As soon as the party scene is over, the fathers rush offstage and change out of their suits and into the fur, gloves, and masks of the mice.
Fat & Happy
Former Director of Costume Production David Heuvel designed and built Nutcracker costumes at Ballet West for 35 years. He said one detail that was important to Mr. C was his happy mice and Mouse King. “He wanted happy, chubby little mice. He didn’t like that some Nutcracker productions portrayed them as scary or skinny mice.”
The Mouse King in e.t.a. Hoffmann’s story was a frightening character with seven ferocious heads. However, David Heuvel recalls, “Mr. C always wanted fat and happy mice.” To be more true to the original story, while honoring Mr. C’s intent, Artistic Director Adam Sklute envisioned the Mouse King’s mask having six snarling mice circling the crown, with the helmet serving as the seventh head. “And we made the costumes for all the mice just a little more fat and happy,” jokes Sklute.
Modest Mouse
In early years, the female corps de ballet members also had the opportunity to dance as mice. In the current production, the women of the corps are typically in the basement dressing rooms changing into their tutus for the snow scene while the battle rages onstage above them.
In early years, the female corps de ballet members also had the opportunity to dance as mice. In the current production, the women of the corps are typically in the basement dressing rooms changing into their tutus for the snow scene while the battle rages onstage above them.
The Movies Meet the Mouse
Robert Allsopp & Associates has created some of the most recognizable costumes and masks for film and television. From the helmet used by X-Men’s Magneto to the armor that Russell Crowe wears in Gladiator, the London-based company’s work is iconic. Allsopp has created other costumes for Ballet West in the past and was excited to lend his expertise once again. Two years ago, Allsopp hand-delivered the masks for six monkeys, the bear, ten mice, the Mouse King, the Mouse Prince, and two baby mice. The biggest change for observant Nutcracker fans is the addition of adorable monkeys who act as servants in Act Two.
