Christmas magic simply radiates from this ballet

Janey Swanson falls under the spell of Birmingham Royal Ballet's "The Nutcracker" as it enchants audiences this festive season.

WITH music by Tchaikovsky, spectacular choreography and a magical story of friendship and all things Christmas, it's little wonder "The Nutcracker" is one of the world's best loved ballets.

Set on Christmas Eve, "The Nutcracker" tells the story of a young girl called Clara who is given a wooden nutcracker painted to look like a soldier by her mysterious godfather.

As the clock strikes midnight, the nutcracker comes to life and fights a battle against King Rat and his army of mice before transforming into a prince who whisks Clara through a winter wonderland of dancing snowflakes to the Sugar Plum Fairy's Kingdom of Sweets.

Every Christmas, productions of "The Nutcracker" provide an estimated 40% of annual ticket revenue for many major ballet companies, while introducing thousands of children to the wonderful world of ballet.

Yet, when first performed in December 1892, "The Nutcracker" was a flop and the ballet faded into obscurity.

Then, in 1934, the choreography for "The Nutcracker" was smuggled out of Russia and given to the Vic-Wells Ballet, which would later become the Royal Ballet.

The Vic-Wells' production was such a success that other ballet companies began to perform "The Nutcracker" at Christmas.

Today, 130 years after its premiere, it is the world's most performed ballet.