We are finally delivering a Christmas episode about the Nutcracker. This week, Hermione and Kat delve into the Nutcracker in immense detail, discussing plot, history and reception across the years.

This week Hermione, Kat and (we've brought her back) Clara discuss the 2025/26 season at the Royal Ballet and Opera. We go through what ballets are on, when, and what they are all about.

In order & links:

A Single Man, September 2025

Like Water For Chocolate, October 2025

La Fille Mal Gardée, November 2025 & June 2026

Perspectives, Balanchine, Marston & Peck, November 2025

Nutcracker, November 2025: The Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House, full ballet

Woolf Works, January 2026

Giselle, February 2026

Mayerling, March 2026: Documentary on the making of Mayerling, Mayerling full ballet 2024, Paris Opera

Wayne McGregor, Alchemies, April 2026

This week Kat, Hermione ... and a special guest (!) Clara talk about the origins of ballet from the 1400s in mercantile Italy to the English 1600s and the king that brought back partying (and ballet). It turns out, ballet in these early periods is much like a Mamma Mia immersive experience where everyone got involved, there was dance, there was singing, there were outrageous costumes, and much more. This episode tells us how we get closer to the art form that we know and love, from the rigid structure of baroque dance.