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Choreographer Nacho Duato is presenting his version of the Christmas classic The Nutcracker at the Mikhailovsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Reuters photographer Grigory Dukor spent time at the theatre and rehearsal spaces to capture images of the hours of work and effort put into the production by performers, musicians, stage crew, costumers, set designers, and more.

Ballet soloist Sergey Strelkov rehearses on November 17, 2015.

Ballet soloist Valeria Zapasnikova and principal dancer Leonid Sarafanov perform during a rehearsal of The Nutcracker, on November 18, 2015.

Ballet soloist Valeria Zapasnikova lies exhausted on the floor during a rehearsal in St. Petersburg on November 19, 2015.

Ballet dancers perform during a rehearsal of The Nutcracker on November 18.

Principal dancer Angelina Vorontsova leaps during a practice at Mikhailovsky Theatre on November 18, 2015.

A ballet dancer reacts to the music as she fixes her pointe shoe during a rehearsal of The Nutcracker on November 19, 2015.

Conductor Igor Tomashevsky directs the orchestra during a rehearsal for Nacho Duato's The Nutcracker at the Mikhailovsky theatre on November 19.

A worker freshens up the decorations for Nacho Duato's ballet, The Nutcracker at the Mikhailovsky theatre on November 20, 2015.

The Mikhailovsky Theatre, as final preparations take place for Nacho Duato's presentation of The Nutcracker in St. Petersburg on November 20, 2015.

Musicians rehearse with conductor Igor Tomashevskyat the Mikhailovsky Theatre on November 20, 2015.

A dancer watches from backstage during a rehearsal on November 20, 2015.

Ballet soloist Valeria Zapasnikova breathes into one of her pointe shoes to warm it up before a rehearsal in St. Petersburg on November 20, 2015.

Ballet dancers perform in Nacho Duato's The Nutcracker at the Mikhailovsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, on November 20, 2015.

Ballet dancers perform on November 20, 2015.

A ballet dancer holding a puppet prepares behind the curtain for a performance of Nacho Duato's The Nutcracker, at the Mikhailovsky Theatre in St. Petersburg on November 21, 2015.

A dancer relaxes backstage at the Mikhailovsky Theatre on November 21.

A dancer stretches backstage on November 21, 2015.

Theatre attendees walk up a staircase of the Mikhailovsky Theatre on November 21, 2015.

People take their seats before the start of The Nutcracker at the Mikhailovsky Theatre on November 21, 2015.

Dancers perform onstage during Nacho Duato's The Nutcracker on November 21, 2015.

Dancers perform in The Nutcracker at the Mikhailovsky Theatre on November 21, 2015.

Principal dancer Ivan Zaytsev performs on November 21, 2015.

Dancers perform at the Mikhailovsky Theatre on November 21, 2015.

Ballet soloist Valeria Zapasnikova and principal dancer Leonid Sarafanov perform in Nacho Duato's The Nutcracker.

A man sweeps the stage after a performance of The Nutcracker.