TWO Nutcrackers in one week could have been too much for this reviewer, but not when performed by two outstanding companies.

The Moscow Ballet at the Pavilion last week had changed choreography. Clare was no longer a young girl, but a teenager and the Sugar Plum fairy had been omitted.

But the dynamic European Ballet Company tonight stuck to the traditional storyline under its director Stanislav Tchassov, former principal dancer with the Bolshoi.

Set to Tchaikovsky’s delightful music, the award-winning dancers from across Europe and Russia performed spectacularly, considering the size of the Regent’s stage.

This dazzling production achieved a high artistic standard with beautiful hand-crafted costumes and was a sheer joy to watch.

You cannot have too many nutcrackers of this quality.