Child dancers will have the chance to work with professional Russian dancers when Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker to be performed in Hanoi this Christmas.
Dozens of aspiring young dancers have participated in the audition for the roles since early September. On October 9, 50 contestants were selected for the final round which will be held at the Vietnam National Opera & Ballet after competing in various categories such as ballet, dance sport and belly dance.
13-year-old Ha Nhi already has 10 years practicing ballet and she returned from Malaysia in order to have the chance to perform on big stage. She impressed the judges with an excerpt from Sleeping Beauty.
13-year-old Ha Nhi
Thao Phuong, Phuong Tra and Ho Minh Quyen, all are 11 years old, also left a huge impression on the judges even though they didn't have any professional training.
The contestants were also asked to perform facial expression or were encouraged by the judges to show their raw talent.
Judge Luu Thi Thu Lan said, "Dancing is getting more public attention and has been commercialised with various TV shows. But those shows have too much pop factor. We want to encourage the children's passion for ballet and dancing in general through this audition."
Dozens of aspiring young dancers have participated in the audition
Judge Dang Chau Anh also said the contestants were very talented, so she found it difficult to choose the best dancers for The Nutcracker.
"Maybe they lack perfect techniques, but audiences will love their innocence. I believe that those who are still lacking can learn fast and perform well when they are taught," Bui Cong Duy, another judge on the panel said.
The 30 best contestants will be selected for the training with Vietnamese and Russian teachers which will last for two months. The 20 best children will have the chance to perform in The Nutcracker.
The Nutcracker is adapted from the E.T.A. Hoffmann story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King and scored by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. It is now performed by numerous ballet groups, especially during the Christmas period. Major US ballet companies generate around 40% of their annual ticket revenues from performances of The Nutcracker.
It is also an experience for adult and children alike with the adorable, fairy-tale atmosphere with the amazing music and attractive choreography.
