The staging of Tchaikovsky's score comes to Los Angeles after performances in Berkeley and at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. The run is slated through January 2, 2005.

The work: co-conceived by Martin Duncan: originally played as part of the Edinburgh Festival in 1992. The work was revived at Sadlers Wells in 1993 and 1994.

"The original production had great irreverence, eccentricity and youthful charm," states Bourne in the show materials. "In taking another look at it, I don't want to lose that, but I do feel that I have learnt a lot about non-verbal story telling in the ten years since it was made." He added, "Ten years on I find Tchaikovsky's music more and more profound, its magic turns us all into kids again."

The staging resets the opening sequence at a bleak orphanage to follow young Clara's journey on Christmas Eve "through a shimmering ice-skating wonderland to the spectacular candy folk of Sweetieland." The traditional Tchaikovsky score remains with set and costumes provided by designer Anthony Ward, Howard Harrison's lighting and sound design by Paul Groothius. Brett Morris serves as music director.

Bourne danced his way into the mindset of theatregoers with his theatrical stagings of Cinderella (Evening Standard Award), The Car Man (L.A. Drama Critics' Circle Award) and Swan Lake : which earned him an Olivier Award and two Tony Awards. He has also provided choreography for London stagings of Oliver!, My Fair Lady and the current musical Mary Poppins : which he co-directs with Richard Eyre.

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