Clare Morehen And The Nutcracker

'tis the season to go on a magical journey with Queensland Ballet.

Ben Stevenson’s 'The Nutcracker' has fast become a seasonal tradition in Brisbane. With a festively stunning set, glorious costumes and graceful dance combined with Tchaikovsky’s evocative score, 'The Nutcracker' awakens the Christmas spirit (and child) in everyone.

The dance follows little Clara, who wakes at midnight on Christmas Eve to embark on an adventure with the Nutcracker Prince. Her wondrous world of toys come to life and while King Rat and his giant mice try to stifle the spirit, the delicate dancing snowflakes, Snow Queen and beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy (who reigns over the Kingdom Of Sweets) keep it alive.

Unable to do the splits until she was 10, Clare Morehen is now a Principal Dancer with QB and has danced with the company for 11 years.

How long have you been dancing?
I began dancing at the age of three, a total of 27 years and counting! This is my 11th year with the Queensland Ballet.



Are you trained in any other styles?
I believe studying a number of different dance styles is so important in today's training. A lot of companies require artists to perform a number of varying styles and are no longer solely presenting purely classical works. In order to be versatile, adaptable and engaged by choreographers, we must endeavour to develop our technique across all areas of the dance spectrum. 


As a child I began with ballet classes and progressed to studying jazz, tap and character. At the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School I added contemporary, improvisation, and acrobatics to my repertoire. In 2004, with Queensland Ballet, I studied a number of ballroom styles, including the jive, salsa, tango, and traditional waltz, in order to perform a season which incorporated these unique styles.

Most recently I have dabbled in the art of Argentine tango, which I find extremely beautiful but very challenging. The subtle initiations made by the leading male are so different to the equal partnering of classical ballet. The one style I would love to try, but have never mustered the courage to attempt, is hip hop! I think the dynamic and sudden freedom of movements would add another layer to my abilities and performance.



Images © David Kelly

How many hours a day do you train? How much is this ramped up when you have an upcoming performance?

We train for around 7 hours a day during an average rehearsal period, working from 10am until 6pm. This includes daily technique training and conditioning of an hour and a half with the remaining hours being utilised for rehearsals of upcoming seasons.

In the final week or two leading up to entering the theatre, we move from individual rehearsal, where we focus on one section of the show at a time, to full calls, where we run entire acts and the full ballet. This allows us to put our work in sequence and build the stamina required for the show. When we enter the theatre, our hours shift to working from around 11am till 9:30/10pm. We are usually in the theatre for just under 11 hours, actively working on-stage for about 8 hours.

The extra time in the theatre is allocated to preparation; for hair, makeup and costuming, staging and production requirements, and for additional warm up time. This is very important as the longer breaks mean the body has time to warm-down and needs a kick-start. These segregated days in the theatre are often tougher on the mind and body and our breaks are utilised for a power nap or a quick dash out into the beautiful Queensland sun. There are no windows in the theatre and it's often hard to tell what time of the day it is!


How many times have you danced 'The Nutcracker' and which characters have you played?

Wow, that is a hard question! I think most senior dancers would respond that they have lost count of the number of 'Nutcracker' performances they have done! I think all up it's about seven seasons. With the ballet being such a recurring tradition I have had the opportunity to perform a number of roles, progressing through the years. I have been a party guest, Clara's sister, a snowflake, the Snow Queen, a clown, a flower, the Arabian Princess and The Sugar Plum Fairy. I think, overall I would have performed The Sugar Plum Fairy more than any other role. I love the music of the solo especially, which is even more magical when played by our incredible orchestra. 



Which is your favourite character in 'The Nutcracker' and why?

I love performing the role of the Arabian Princess. The choreography demands a seamless, sensual style which is intensified by the stunning score. The couple must entice the audience which requires a strong, captivating connection within the partnership. It is a great role to develop and play with.


My biggest wish would be to perform a female version of the Russian dance! This is an explosive number, full of allegro and fierce dynamic which is almost always performed solely by men! The score is one of the most exciting and energetic pieces in the whole evening and I would love to explode onto stage and feel that adrenaline. Perhaps if I put my dream out there it may happen...



Which character best fits you on Christmas day?
Christmas is my favourite holiday of the year. It's all about spending time with family and spoiling them with love and gifts. I think the character closest to my personality on Christmas Day would be Clara's mother. I love dressing the tree, hanging lights, wrapping presents and setting the table. Each year I have a theme and make sure that the placemats, napkins, centrepieces and table presents (a family tradition of an extra present at the table) are all matching and coordinated. I just love it!



How does QB's 'Nutcracker' evolve each year?

The wonderful thing about 'The Nutcracker' is that it's an annual event that can be enjoyed every year. It has been a tradition in Europe for so long and I'm excited that Queensland Ballet and the Queensland audiences have embraced it here too. Each year the dancers get the opportunity to revisit and expand on their characters from the previous year and also get the chance to tackle new ones. The audience get to experience new interpretations of their favourite characters and watch the dancers careers evolve. With such a visually stunning and beautifully sounding production you discover new things every time you see and perform it!



Is the excitement backstage as magical and energetic as it is onstage?
The feeling backstage of a 'Nutcracker' performance is definitely electric! Just like the rest of the world, we are anticipating Christmas, time with family and holidays. Nothing gets you in the spirit more than a season of 'The Nutcracker'. The story and score are intoxicating and we feel the energy from the audience. It can be different every performance but there is always a strong vibe. We can literally feel the excitement and joy radiating from the children, and their parents!



Do you have any pre-show rituals?

Choosing point shoes is the beginning of my performance preparation each day. I usually have a few pairs ready to go, but I won't choose them until the day. Point shoes tend to warp and change, depending on what choreography you have worn them for, the surface you've danced on, and the length of time you've worn them. My feet also change, mostly getting a tad more swollen as the season progresses, and the point shoes need to feel like Cinderella's!

They are the only connection we have between our body and the stage. Following the afternoon rehearsal, when everyone has left the theatre space for a dinner break, I take my favourite pairs to the stage. I try on each pair and perform some of the choreography for the evening. In the solitary, quiet and undressed stage I find the perfect pair whilst connecting with the space that will be my home for the evening. I find it a very calming and beautiful time.



Who will you be dancing in this year's performance?

I am currently recovering from a planned surgery to repair a stress fracture in my right foot, which means I will unfortunately miss the season this year. The nature of our industry often results in injury and time away from the stage. I am however, excited to experience the performance purely as an observer in the audience! 'Nutcracker' puts me right in the Christmas spirit and I cannot wait to see how the company have developed from last year. Luckily, I will have a chance to perform it again next year!



What do you love most about Christmas in Australia?
I love that Australians get the best of both worlds at Christmas. We emulate the cold and festive season by embracing the colours and ideas of the north, but at the same time we get to celebrate our beautiful climate and surroundings. We are able to eat outside and enjoy incredible Australian produce with scrumptious salads and seafood. We can enjoy ice-cream and sorbet (which in our family is made by my fiancé and me, thanks to a past Christmas gift) and play sports and swim! All round, it's a pretty perfect combination.

'The Nutcracker' performs Queensland Performing Arts Centre 11-23 December.