One of the prerequisites for a successful ballet performance is of course an acute sense of timing, which the organisers of Scottish Ballet’s new version of this Christmas classic apparently lack, given that the show arrives in Edinburgh at a time when most of us have had our fill with Christmas and even the turkey sandwiches are long gone. Fortunately, however, the production itself is on the whole more in sync, and has just enough spirit to make fans of ballet delay throwing out their Christmas tree for a few more days.

For the most part faithful to the original classic, with a few new flourishes added, it tells the story of Clara and the nutcracker doll that comes to life and transports her to the Kingdom of Sweet, where he is transformed into a handsome prince.

Artistic director Ashley Page has crafted a rich and often vibrant interpretation, having sense enough to remain faithful to the story’s charm and of course Tchaikovsky’s immortal, untouchable music. He loses grip on the narrative in the second half, with the result that the ballet sequences begin to drift towards monotony, though Antony McDonald’s designs and an on-form orchestra ensure there’s always something to stimulate the senses. It’s just a pity that it never quite manages to capitalise on the first half’s balletic embodiment of a girl’s sexual awakening, instead ending up up as something altogether more frivolous.

Playing at Edinburgh Festival Theatre: until Sat 9th Jan

Then touring: Inverness 20-23 Jan, Aberdeen 27-30 Jan, Newcastle 3-6Feb