Christmas came early for theatregoers of all ages at the Congress with that sweetest of festive treats The Nutcracker.

With huge Christmas tree backdrops, tinsel tipped outfits, elaborate gifts and delicate snowflakes elegantly swooning under falling snow, it was hard not to feel like our calendar had jumped a couple of months forward.

Even the novice ballet goer can’t help but feel in familiar territory with the second half of The Nutcracker bringing forward a greatest hits show with Tea (Chinese Dance), The Dance Of The Reed Flutes and The Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy in quick succession.

From hectic fight scenes of gingerbread soldiers and mice, romantic waltzes between Clara and her Nutcracker or the energetic springing of the Chinese dancers, the Russian State Ballet served up a continual feast for the eye.

If anything it was almost too sugar sweet, with the army of mice looking forlorn rather than threatening with their long drooping noses although the orchestra’s warm brass section accompanied some menace to their appearances on stage.

Stepping outside after 90 minutes of superior panto fun, one hoped to feel the crunch of pure white snow under foot such was the festive spirit that had been summoned.

Three stars

* Russian State Ballet and Opera House perform Don Quixote tonight (Wed 21) at Congress Theatre, Eastbourne. Call 01323 412000 for tickets.