GET the tinsel back out of the loft, Christmas spirit is well and truly back on the agenda with this classic fairytale ballet.

Ellen Kent and Ballet International presents the Chisinau National Ballet in Bolshoi veteran Yuri Grigorovich's Nutcracker.

The Christmas scene is set with merry dances, ale swigging and present opening around the grand tree and twinkling lights.

With more costume changes than you can shake a wand at, this is a shimmering, colourful production full of

energetic and athletic performances.

In fact, at times, the dancers are more acrobatic than ballet in nature.

Highlights include the nutcracker in "doll form" with his stilted, robotic movements perfectly conveying his wooden predicament, and the prancing "toys" are a delight throughout.

The lead characters, nutcracker-turned-prince-charming and the innocent Marie, pirouetted perfectly through Grigorovich's choreography and the sugar plum fairy solo was delicious.

If you are a ballet virgin, this is a good one to start with -- it appeals to all ages and you will recognise more of Tchaikovsky's classic score than you might think.

Of course, the unseen hero of the evening was the orchestra, which put in a note-perfect performance of this perennial family favourite.

Grigorovich's Nutcracker, Palace Theatre, Manchester

Until January 24