Absolutely nothing. Béjart simply uses the music as a peg on which to hang his so-called autobiography, none of which has anything to do with innocent childlike fantasy, fairy tales, or toys coming to life.
From beginning to end, this version is not for children at all. It does not even have the few innocently likable moments that the controversial Chemiakin-Mariinsky Ballet version has. It is not even as likable or innocent as "The Hard Nut". It is shot through and through with themes of incest and homosexuality; the main character Bim, who of course never appears in Tchaikovsky's ballet, is apparently in love with his own mother, and she appears to reciprocate. Their dance together is extremely suggestive. In the scene that usually takes place at the Kingdom of Sweets, in which Bim watches the Russian Dance, Arabian Dance, etc., she even wears a dress resembling a wedding gown.
Most of the men in this production are frequently seen wearing only shorts or underpants, and nothing else.
Most of the men in this production are frequently seen wearing only shorts or underpants, and nothing else.
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