19 December 2012 Last updated at 10:10 It has become somewhat of an annual festive favourite at the Royal Opera House in London. The story of the Nutcracker - a young girl's magical Christmas Eve journey through the land of sweets - with a familiar musical score penned by Tchaikovsky. Here, as a new season of performances gets under way, take a look behind the scenes at how The Royal Ballet stages the show. The Royal Ballet's Nutcracker can be seen at the Royal Opera House, London, until 16 January 2013. Music from the Nutcracker supplied by Focus Music. Publication date 19 December 2013. The Royal Opera House - London Gruffalo artist Axel Scheffler's stamps for Christmas