For the debut of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, adult students from the Imperial Ballet School in St. Petersburg were cast as children. This was not a popular decision and was one of the reasons The Nutcracker debut received a lukewarm reception.
In the 1919 production by choreographer Alexander Groshky, adults were given the roles of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince but not as the children in the party scene. Fans loved the decision. Using adults instead of children was one of the many criticisms addressed by the Groshky’s version.