Youth Ballet West (YBW) returns to the city’s Town Hall Theatre on Saturday and Sunday, December 14 and 15,  for its  Christmas show, The Nutcracker.

There will be performances on both evenings and a matinee on Sunday of this enchanting ballet, which is renowned worldwide for its magical story and Tchaikovsky’s wonderful score.

City woman Éabha Schukat is returning to perform as the Sugar Plum Fairy, in what she describes as “a full-circle moment”, having first performed the role at 16 and taking part now as a guest artist.

She will be joined on stage by another past pupil, Megan Dowd, who will be playing the mysterious Drosselmeyer.

Megan first saw The Nutcracker as a child and it captivated her. She’s looking forward to taking on the role of Drosselmeyer now, exploring his complex personality.

Both women are past students of Youth Ballet West, which trains dancers in the West of Ireland and has provided the foundations for successful professional careers for several of them.

Next weekend’s production of The Nutcracker continues YBW’s aim of nurturing talent, via training from some of the best professionals in the business, and also by giving its students the opportunity to perform onstage in largescale shows.

The company also hopes to grow the audience for dance locally, both in terms of numbers and diversity, and has picked a firm seasonal favourite for its Christmas show.

The performance of The Nutcracker on Saturday, December 14, will be at 7pm, and on Sunday, December 15, there will be shows at 1pm and 5pm. Tickets are available now at tht.ie, 091-569777 or at the Town Hall Box Office.

Pictured: Youth Ballet West members performing in a previous show, Paquita.  PHOTO: DARACH GLENNON.