A Night at the Ballet

Patients and parents from Wellington Children's Hospital had a special trip out last night to the Royal New Zealand Ballet dress rehearsal of The Nutcracker.

Meridian Energy, national sponsor of the ballet, gifted the tickets for children in hospital to see the show.

"That was my first ballet but hopefully not my last." Said Karen whose six year old daughter Alizae has been in hospital for a week.  "It was so lovely, we really enjoyed it!  We appreciate it a lot."

The Nutcracker adventure begins on Christmas morning when Clara’s rat-bag brother, Fritz, clouts her over the head with her beloved nutcracker doll. Delirious with concussion, Clara is rushed to hospital where she enters a fantasy world and the nutcracker doll comes to life.

For those familiar with the hospital environment, the ballet offers a whole new take on the Matron, Doctors, Nurses and the inner workings of a hospital at night.

The Nutcracker opens in Wellington tonight before touring New Zealand.  For bookings visit http://www.nzballet.org.nz/nutcracker