The Hong Kong Ballet is celebrating the 10th anniversary of The Nutcracker which has been performed to more than 140,000 people since 1997. Principal dancer Crystal Costa, 23, who plays young Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy, reflects on the magic and sadness behind the much-loved Christmas production.
The Nutcracker does rather wipe out Christmas for me. It is a bit sad in that respect. People ask me 'Isn't The Nutcracker Christmas for you?' But in a way it isn't. We have to dance on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so all the traditions I enjoyed as a girl growing up - going out with family, going to church and opening presents - I can't do any more. It is just a memory.
It is also hard on my family in Canada. I have an older brother and a younger sister and I miss them and my parents. They miss me too and they wish we could have our Christmas traditions back again, but I guess that is one of the sacrifices.
I really miss the way Christmases used to be. It is something that makes me quite sad.
I miss family, just being around family members, having turkey dinner and eating together, just that whole feeling of being so relaxed and being able to enjoy that spirit and all the giving. It has always been my favourite time of year.
I always looked forward to Christmas but now instead of holiday it means really working.
It isn't going to change for me any time soon. Pretty much every year, if you are in a classical ballet company, you can look forward to The Nutcracker. When it is all over on December 26, you feel complete exhaustion.
