THE Nutcracker is one of the most enchanting and popular ballets ever written, telling the story of Marie, a rather sad little girl, whose godfather Drosselmeyer gives her a nutcracker doll as a present on Christmas Eve, which turns into a prince.

Featuring Tchaikovsky’s rousing score and classic tunes as the Waltz of the Flowers and the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Russian State Ballet and Opera House performs the family favourite at The Sands, Carlisle, on Saturday, November 26 (7.30pm). Box Office 01228-633766.