When the Lambton Young Theatre Players take to the stage in The Magic Nutcracker this weekend – they’ll likely surprise a few people.

Classic Christmas offering is often staged as a ballet – but Artistic Director Nancy Keys has studied the original traditional story by E.T.A. Hoffman and an adaptation by Alexandre Dumas to create the young theatre players version of the tale.

“The Nutcracker is a wonderful Christmas classic that has been popular with audiences around the world for many generations,” says Keys. “Most people are familiar with the story presented as a ballet, but we’ve decided to exchange the dancing for dialogue. Nutcracker is fabulous story full of excitement, adventure, magic and mystery where the real world crosses over to fantasy, and a young girl’s imagination becomes the key to a happy ending, or not.”

The story unfolds as Marie has received a magic nutcracker doll from her godfather, Drosselmeyer. She is astounded when it comes alive and he takes her to the Land of the Dolls. The Mouse King and his army of mice attack and  threaten to destroy everything.

Twenty-three young actors take to the Sarnia Library Theatre stage Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Thursday and Friday’s public shows are at 7pm and Saturday’s performance is at 2pm.

Tickets are available at the door.