Ballet Ireland’s “thoroughly Irish version” of the original Russian ballet, The Nutcracker, performed by an international company of world-class dancers will be at the Town Hall Theatre this Friday night and Saturday night, November 8 and 9, as part of an 11-venue Irish tour.

Nutcracker Sweeties is set in a bustling Irish department store as the Christmas shopping rush is at its height – an experience everyone can relate to and one dreaded by many. The original location has shifted from the musty old mansion of a strange, rich uncle to this shop, giving Ballet Ireland’s version a playful, bustling energy.

In this version, the central character of Clara becomes Ciara, and Fritz is Fionn, while the eccentric Uncle Drosselmeyer is now a lovely store manager working away with her ballet clerks to make the place perfect for the biggest shopping day of the year.

As the story unfolds, the mannequins in the windows come to life. There are dancing hurlers and camogie players, Irish sweets and even a bit of hoovering.

The dancers are from countries including Australia, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Columbia, South Korea, Japan and Ireland, with the international mix of artists, languages and cultures highlighting ballet’s universality and ability to transcend languages.

For people who have never seen a ballet, Nutcracker Sweeties is the perfect introduction, according to Ballet Ireland, who describe it as a perfect family show. It starts at 8pm nightly.

■ Tickets €27/25, plus €1 booking fee from tht.ie, 091-569777 or at the box office.

Pictured: The show is set in a store during the pre-Christmas shopping frenzy.