Get into the Christmas spirit with Zoë Dobson as she follows the creation of a new version of the world’s favourite festive ballet

Shout out to Stern & Wild filmmaker Zoë Dobson whose latest project goes behind the scenes with English National Ballet as the company creates a brand-new production of Nutcracker.

The three-part series Nutcracker: Backstage with English National Ballet, which launched on Sky Arts this week, showcases what it takes to re-invent a globally renowned classic as seen through the eyes of all the key departments involved. It includes interviews with ENB Artistic Director and Choreographer Aaron S. Watkin, Olivier Award-winning Choreographer Arielle Smith, and Designer Dick Bird, alongside the principal dancers, musicians, Music Director and costumiers. The first two hour-long episodes follow the preparations and rehearsals which build to the opening night, while the final two-hour special which airs on 23 December features a complete performance of the show, filmed at London’s Coliseum.

The series is a Cornerstone Studios production for Sky Arts. Zoë is Series Director. Beren Money is Executive Producer with Maureen MacPhee as Director of Production. The Commissioning Editor for Sky is Benedetta Pinelli.

Aaron S. Watkin and Arielle Smith's Nutcracker © Photography by ASH. To watch a trailer for the series, click the image