The Nutcracker at Zaryadye

“The Nutcracker at Zaryadye” — Costume Design by Fyodor Dodonov & Haik Simonyan for the Main Characters of the Christmas Spectacular

In 2018, costume designers Fyodor Dodonov and Haik Simonyan were invited to join one of Moscow’s most ambitious Christmas productions — the ballet-opera-fairy tale “The Nutcracker at Zaryadye.” They were commissioned to create the stage costumes for the production’s two central characters — The Nutcracker and the Sugar Plum Fairy. Years later, the production continues to return to the stage, remaining one of the signature holiday performances at Zaryadye Concert Hall and, more recently, at the Moscow International House of Music.

The production brought together a distinguished team of Russian theatre and music professionals. Pavel Kaplevich served as the project’s creator, set designer, and one of its producers, alongside producer Yulia Morozova. The production was directed by Nina Chusova, while Andrey Bartenev developed the visual concept and designed the majority of the costumes. Philipp Chizhevsky conducted the orchestra, and choreography was created by Anna Abalikhina. Within this large-scale production, Fyodor Dodonov and Haik Simonyan were entrusted with designing the stage costumes for the show’s two principal characters — The Nutcracker and the Sugar Plum Fairy.

The performance offers a contemporary interpretation of E. T. A. Hoffmann’s classic Christmas tale, set to the music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Blending ballet, opera, circus arts, cutting-edge stage technology, and spectacular visual design, the production transforms the familiar story into a vibrant multimedia experience.

The Main Characters

The costumes created by Fyodor Dodonov and Haik Simonyan define the visual identity of the production’s two leading characters.

The Nutcracker costume combines futuristic geometry, mirrored surfaces, and sculptural construction, transforming the fairy-tale hero into a striking contemporary stage figure. The Sugar Plum Fairy, by contrast, embodies a completely different artistic language—light, radiant, and almost celestial, perfectly capturing the magical atmosphere of the performance. Despite their contrasting aesthetics, both costumes share the unmistakable creative signature of FEDYA&HAIK, where theatrical expression meets contemporary design.

Original Costume Design by FEDYA&HAIK

While designing the production’s central characters, the artists set out to create more than visually impressive costumes. Their goal was to develop memorable artistic identities that would become an integral part of the performance’s storytelling.

Through the combination of unconventional silhouettes, expressive forms, innovative materials, and carefully considered lighting effects, the Nutcracker and the Sugar Plum Fairy have become two of the most recognizable and memorable characters of the production.

A Production That Continues to Live On

Since its premiere in January 2019, the production has returned to the holiday repertoire on multiple occasions and was later presented at the Moscow International House of Music. Its enduring popularity over the years stands as clear evidence of both audience appreciation and the lasting success of the project.

Dance of the Nutcracker and the Sugar Plum Fairy

Production Trailer

The creators of Bionica Show, Fyodor Dodonov and Haik Simonyan, work under the creative brand FEDYA&HAIK. Members of the Creative Union of Artists of Russia, they work across theatre, fashion, and contemporary art, creating theatrical costumes, designer clothing, fine art, and signature fragrances. Designing the costumes for the Nutcracker and the Sugar Plum Fairy became another milestone in FEDYA&HAIK’s collaboration with Russia’s leading theatrical productions, showcasing their ability to transform artistic concepts into visually unforgettable stage worlds.