Erina Takahashi is living every girl’s dream

International ballet star Erina Takahashi is in Cork for The Nutcracker, writes Jo Kerrigan

THAT most beloved of all ballets, The Nutcracker, will be staged at Cork Opera House later this month, ensuring delighted small faces as wannabe ballerinas beg their parents for tickets. It’s a major undertaking for resident company, Cork City Ballet, but artistic director Alan Foley anticipates it with gusto.

“No matter how many times you see it, this is always special, because it’s the complete storybook fairytale and it’s so Christmassy, too. As director, the thing I love is that it’s perfect for introducing boys to ballet, as well as girls. It has all those toy soldiers, the enemy rats, the children at the party, King Rat, the battle scene — small boys love that.