The Nutcracker by the Russian Classical Ballet at Teatro Cilea, Reggio Calabria 2027

Teatro Francesco Cilea · Reggio Calabria, Costa Viola, Calabria

14 January 2027

On Thursday 14 January 2027 at 9pm the Russian Classical Ballet, a company founded in Moscow in 2005, brings Tchaikovsky's «The Nutcracker» to the Teatro Francesco Cilea in Reggio Calabria. Based on E.T.A. Hoffmann's fairy tale, the ballet follows Clara through the battle against the Mouse King all the way to the Kingdom of Sweets, and it is presented as a show for families too. It is a stop on the company's Italian tour, which plays the Teatro Rendano in Cosenza the day before. Tickets on TicketOne cost from 28.75 to 46 euros, plus booking fees.

Thursday 14 January 2027 at Teatro Cilea

The ballet is staged on Thursday 14 January 2027 at 9pm at the Teatro Francesco Cilea in Reggio Calabria. It is one of thirteen dates of the Russian Classical Ballet's Italian tour of «The Nutcracker», which opens on 2 December 2026 in Turin and closes on 22 January 2027 in San Benedetto del Tronto, with stops in Rome, Genoa, Bari and Naples among others.

There are two dates in Calabria: Wednesday 13 January at the Teatro Rendano in Cosenza and the following day in Reggio. The company then crosses the Strait to Ragusa (15 January) and Catania (16 January). In Reggio the date falls just over a week after Epiphany.

The story: Clara, the Nutcracker and the Mouse King

The ballet is based on E.T.A. Hoffmann's tale «The Nutcracker and the Mouse King» and tells the story of a girl, Clara, who dreams of a prince. In a battle against the Mouse King the Nutcracker is in danger: Clara overcomes her fear, joins the fight and throws her shoe, defeating the creature and breaking the spell. The Nutcracker then turns into a prince.

As snow covers the town, the prince takes Clara to his realm, the Kingdom of Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy celebrates with all the children who, like her, can still dream.

Tchaikovsky's music and a show for families

The score is by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, with pieces that have become famous well beyond the theatre, such as the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, which the Italian presentation calls «Danza dello zucchero fatato», and the Waltz of the Flowers.

The organisers present the show as a ballet to enjoy as a family: Clara's fairy tale, from the battle with the mice to the Kingdom of Sweets, is easy for younger children to follow, while adults find Russian classical ballet in the form the company sets out to preserve. If you are bringing children, bear in mind that the performance starts at 9pm on a weekday evening.

The company: the Russian Classical Ballet

The Russian Classical Ballet was founded in Moscow in 2005 with the stated aim of fully preserving the tradition of Russian classical ballet. The company is directed by Evgeniya Bespalova; for this production the artistic direction is credited to Evgeniya Bespalova and Denis Karakashev.

Its dancers graduated from the choreographic schools of Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Novosibirsk and Perm, and the corps de ballet and soloists come from Russia's main companies, alongside emerging talents from Moscow's classical dance scene. On TicketOne the company has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 from 40 audience reviews of previous tours.

Tickets and prices by section

Tickets are on TicketOne, on sale since 2 March 2026, also through the call centre (892.101) and sales points. Full prices are: stalls 46 euros, first-tier boxes 40.25 euros, second-tier boxes 34.50 euros and third-tier boxes 28.75 euros. Booking fees are added.

TicketOne also offers reduced fares, with amounts and conditions shown at the time of purchase. The organiser is Aurora Eventi of Mesagne, in Apulia; Futura Produzioni also appears on the poster. As of 13 October all sections are available.

Teatro Cilea: where it is and what is nearby

The Teatro Francesco Cilea, opened in 1931, has a horseshoe-shaped auditorium with three tiers of boxes and an upper gallery. It stands on Corso Garibaldi, the main street of Reggio's historic centre, largely pedestrianised, facing Piazza Italia and Palazzo San Giorgio; Reggio Calabria Centrale station is at the southern end of the Corso.

Dance lovers can note another date on the same stage: on 7 December 2026 the Royal National Ballet of Georgia performs Fire of Georgia. If you are coming from out of town for the evening, you can look for accommodation in Reggio and the surrounding area.

Frequently asked questions

When is The Nutcracker on in Reggio Calabria?

On Thursday 14 January 2027 at 9pm, at the Teatro Francesco Cilea on Corso Garibaldi.

How much are tickets?

From 28.75 euros (third-tier boxes) to 46 euros (stalls), plus booking fees. TicketOne also offers reduced fares.

Is the show suitable for children?

The organisers present it as a ballet to enjoy as a family. Bear in mind that it starts at 9pm on a weekday.

Who is dancing?

The Russian Classical Ballet, a company founded in Moscow in 2005 and directed by Evgeniya Bespalova, with dancers trained in Russian choreographic schools.

Are there other dates in Calabria?

Yes, on Wednesday 13 January 2027 at 9pm at the Teatro Rendano in Cosenza.

Where is Teatro Cilea and where can I park?

On Corso Garibaldi, facing Piazza Italia. The Corso is largely pedestrianised, so leave the car in the surrounding streets, or walk from Reggio Calabria Centrale station.

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