The wettest January on record (you heard it first here…Ed) ends with a trip to see Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker in Havana at the Grand Opera House in York. We’re definitely ballet lovers (well 150% are, as Tr*mp would say) and, though we’ve seen many of Matthew Bourne’s productions, this Carlos Acosta version was exuberant and just sheer joy. Even the rats.

Tchaikovsky’s beautiful score – you remember the Cadbury’s ‘Fruit ‘N’ Nutcase’ ad on TV? – rearranged in Cuban rhythm style with electric guitars. Stunning. No other word for it (fabulous, outstanding? – just saying…Ed).

We were meant to go with friends on Thursday but the show was inexplicably cancelled at short notice. Saturday, the last night, wasn’t full – friends on grandparent duty at Strictly in Manchester – in fact there were lots of seats and we got really good ones in the middle of the stalls. Probably only two thirds full at most. OK it’s just after Christmas and, even in York, not cheap. We know we complain about the costs of seeing shows up (down?) in London where the costs are well into four figures, but even a 35 mile trip to York wasn’t cheap:

• Theatre – £157.75 (not the most expensive seats)
• Supper – £100.00 inc tip – Bettys beforehand – the Ivy could only offer 11:30 or 22:45
• Parking – £15.75 – York!
• M&S Umbrella – £20. It was pouring down and we were miles from the car

So, stunning, fabulous, outstanding night out.

Bettys and Carlos Acosta, York