YES… if only this delightful concoction could be bottled and periodically uncorked every time you felt in need of a pick-me-up. What a tonic that would be.

It’s that same old feeling whenever Nao Sakuma and Chi Cao work the familiar magic that has held Birmingham Hippodrome audiences in thrall for all these years – and believe me, it shows no signs of abating.

For when the time comes, and the grand pas de deux sweeps across the stage, there is an almost audible sigh of relief that it’s arrived at last. We then pray that the moment will never end.

Sir Peter Wright’s production of this classic seasonal staple is rather like Christmas itself, coming but once a year. And it’s true, we BRB addicts have seen it all before.

Yet somehow, the mesmerising music of Tchaikovsky draws us like moths to the festive candle’s flame. We are entranced by Sakuma’s Sugar Plum Fairy, just as we are awestruck by Cao’s delicately intricate footwork as the Prince.

Nevertheless, our lovers do not sweep all before them. Carole-Anne Millar’s Clara brings an Alice in Wonderland feel to the piece that sits well with the Yuletide celebrations that dominate the first half.

There is indeed magic in the air. And stoking this alchemy of wizardry and mischief are Robert Parker’s magician and Alexander Campbell’s Jack-in-the-box.

The latter role calls for no small degree of athleticism, a theme that is brought to its full fruition when Tyrone Singleton’s rat army takes on the red-coated soldiers of righteousness. Finally, Gaylene Cummerfield’s Snow Fairy provides the aperitif for a truly sumptuous main course of superbly crafted action, the art of ballet at its best.

The Nutcracker runs until Saturday, December 13. You really should make it a date.