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Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and the National Ballet of Canada's artistic director Karen Kain look over ballet costumes at City Hall on Nov. 14, 2011. Mr. Ford has agreed to make a cameo in The Nutcracker.Moe Doiron/The Globe and Mail

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford will join members of the National Ballet of Canada in a performance of The Nutcracker, making a cameo appearance in the annual holiday favourite later this year.

Mr. Ford, known more for his footwork on the football field and in the council chamber, will play the part of a cannon doll, a walk-on role that appears during the dream sequence in the first act. The comic part is traditionally given to one or more celebrities who come on stage with a member of the ballet company. They struggle with a cannon that fires confetti on the audience. There is no word on who might play the other doll alongside Mr. Ford.

Karen Kain, the National Ballet's artistic director, confirmed Mr. Ford's appearance during a lunchtime reception on Monday at City Hall to mark the 60th anniversary of the National Ballet of Canada.

Toronto Councillors Michael Thompson and Adam Vaughan both filled the cannon doll role at different performances last year, as did Toronto Argonauts Jeff Johnson and Taylor Robertson. Former mayor David Miller has also played the part.

Mr. Ford also took to the stage this spring, making a brief appearance in a production of Thomas the Tank Engine.

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