A stand-in for a beloved favourite

THE NUTCRACKER by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Recommended by Ashley Audrain, writer

“My aunt took me to The Nutcracker when I was five. I was really looking forward to taking my son, who just turned five, to the National Ballet’s performance this year, but alas, we’ll patiently await the post-pandemic production. In the meantime, this performance of The Nutcracker score is a family favourite, and my son and three-year-old daughter request favourites in the cutest ways— like ‘the tip-toe flutey one’ for ‘Dance of the Mirlitons.’ It’s been a welcome change from ‘Jingle Bells’ on repeat (although there’s plenty of that, too).”