Under intense blue light, a performer with a tinsel beard raises their arms as confetti falls around a wooden nutcracker figure on stacked boxes.

Polka Theatre2024

The Nutcracker

The Production

Little Bulb’s reimagined The Nutcracker was originally co-produced with Polka Theatre and staged at Polka Theatre, Wimbledon, for Christmas 2024, later nominated for the 2025 Olivier Award for Best Family Show. A bold, musical family quest for ages 5–12, the production brought the classic tale to life with comic mice, cardboard creations and festive singalongs.

40 photographs in the curated edit

Director: Alex Scott
Associate Director: Roman Stefanski
Musical Director: Clare Beresford, Dominic Conway
Lighting Design: Joshua Pharo
Set & Costume Design: Sam Wilde
Sound Design: Sharon Tsang
Commissioned by: Polka Theatre and Little Bulb
Photography: Steve Gregson

A brightly dressed performer steps through parted curtains at center stage while three others react from platforms surrounded by cardboard boxes.

A performer in a pale blue jacket and round cardboard ears puckers their lips while holding up a wedge-shaped cheese prop.

Five performers in pale blue jackets and round ears play keyboard, guitar, microphone, percussion and accordion on a purple-lit stage.

A performer wearing round cardboard ears peeks over the edge of the stage beside a glowing cheese-shaped lamp.

A red-lit stage with draped curtains frames a performer standing in a bright smoky doorway, with boxes and another crouched figure at the side.

A performer leaps beside two others, one holding a toy sword and one in a many-legged insect costume, against purple-lit curtains.

A performer in a pale blue jacket, bow tie and round cardboard ears sings into a vintage-style microphone under warm stage light.

Three performers crowd behind a cardboard car prop with glowing headlights and the license plate “B477 NUT,” holding boxes under bright blue spotlights.

On a blue and magenta-lit stage, two performers reach upward as oversized shadows stretch across the curtain among scattered cardboard boxes.

A performer in a vivid floral robe and white scarf holds both hands out tensely under blue stage lighting.

On a red-lit stage, two performers brandish oversized red-eyed creature puppets around a seated performer while another figure climbs at the side.

Two smiling performers share a round wooden prop under warm amber light, one wearing a striped shirt and the other a Transformers T-shirt.

A wide blue-lit stage shows performers spaced at the sides and center, with a large projected shadow of a hand holding a circular object on the backdrop.

Bathed in intense red light, a performer clutches a large wheel-like prop as glowing-eyed creature puppets loom in the background.

A performer peers up from a trapdoor in the stage floor while holding a small wooden puppet upright beneath bright blue lighting.

A masked performer in a shaggy green coat stands at a vintage microphone with arms outstretched amid purple and green stage lights.

In a close-up under cool blue light, a performer with glasses, a dark wig, and a moustache raises their hands with a startled expression.

A caped performer stands dramatically over another performer lying on the floor, one leg lifted, in green theatrical lighting.

A performer in a blue costume raises a stacked wooden toy figure above their head as glowing-eyed puppets peek from behind purple drapes.

A performer in a pale blue suit and mouse-ear headpiece sings into a vintage microphone while pointing outward, with another performer behind holding a tambourine.

A wide red-lit stage shows one performer lying on the floor, others poised around them with oversized mouse-head props, and red curtains framing the scene.

Under blue stage light, a performer in glasses and a striped shirt holds a wooden nutcracker figure with a wary expression.

A performer in mouse ears, a tall green paper crown, a ruffled collar, and a furry coat sings or calls out while holding a large round block against a red backdrop.

Three performers dance under purple lighting, with the central performer in a pink suit raising a glowing wand high above their head.

A performer in a striped shirt and red waist bag holds wooden props in the foreground, with a decorated Christmas tree and a seated performer behind them.

On a purple and green lit stage, a performer in a striped shirt stands forward while two others appear near a tent-like curtain opening and side ropes.

In intense red light, performers with oversized mouse-head props surround and lift a shouting performer holding a round shield, while another reaches up from below.

A startled performer in a striped shirt stands beside a bearded figure in a green hooded mouse-eared cloak holding a staff under blue and purple light.

Performers on a blue-lit stage hold glowing signs that spell out “THE NUT CRACKER.”

On a blue-lit stage, one performer pops up from a trap-like crate holding a puppet while another leaps back with hands raised in surprise.

A performer in a furry coat, white ruff, and tall paper headdress sings into a vintage microphone under vivid green and pink lighting.

In red stage light, two kneeling performers look frightened as a costumed figure raises a sword and others crowd in with large rodent-head puppets.

A performer in a white jacket and mouse-ear headband holds a small nutcracker puppet aloft against deep blue draped curtains.

A performer in ears, a ruff, and a fur coat shouts center stage while three others loom behind with large rodent-head puppets in red light.

A wide view of the stage shows three performers standing among stacked boxes, draped curtains, string lights, and a small decorated tree.

A performer in a headscarf, pink coat, and translucent wings reads a crumpled note while holding a glowing wand in saturated pink light.

Two performers strike a heroic pose in blue light, one kneeling with a shield while the other stands behind with a sword raised overhead.

A performer in a large striped insect costume with multiple jointed legs raises their hands under purple and pink stage lighting.

A costumed figure with ears and a ruff raises a sword above two kneeling performers, with rodent-headed figures gathered behind them.

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