FORMER Principal of The Royal Ballet and now Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcy Bussell is one of the most famous British dancers of her generation.

Now she will present the Encore recorded screening of the Royal Ballet's Nutcracker on screen at Christchurch Regent Centre on Saturday at 2pm.

Christmas simply would not be Christmas without a production of The Nutcracker and an initial screening by satellite direct from the Royal Ballet sold out yesterday.

The Royal Ballet's glorious production of The Nutcracker, created by Peter Wright in 1984, is the production par excellence of this all-time ballet classic.

It is Christmas Eve and Drosselmeyer the magician sweeps young Clara away on a fantasy adventure in which time is suspended, the family living room becomes a great battlefield, and a magical journey takes them through the Land of Snow to the Kingdom of Sweets. Tchaikovsky's glittering score, the gorgeous festive stage designs and The Royal Ballet's captivating dancing – including an exquisite pas de deux between the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince – make this Nutcracker the quintessential Christmas experience.

Peter Wright’s enchanting production stars the Royal Ballet’s Principal, Francesca Hayward, as Clara, whose Christmas is transformed by a visit from Drosselmeyer, a mysterious magician and maker of magical toys. Drosselmeyer longs to break a curse that has turned his nephew, danced by Australian Principal Alexander Campbell, into a nutcracker doll.

The mesmerizing score is matched by some astounding sets including a Christmas tree that magically grows and some stunning set-pieces such as the battle between the toy soldiers, an Army of Mice led by The Mouse King, and the famous role of the Sugar Plum Fairy, danced by Royal Ballet Principal Lauren Cuthbertson, with her Prince, Principal dancer Federico Bonelli.

Regent, Christchurch

01202 499199

www.regentcentre.co.uk