Birmingham Royal Ballet Breathe life into Coppelia

The Birmingham Royal Ballet Autumn season concludes its Birmingham run this week with the opening at the Hippodrome of Sir Peter Wright’s Coppelia , directed by Carlos Acosta. I was at the press night last night and, once again, the BRB showed why they are one of the world’s greatest ballet company’s with a production that is grace and charm personified.

The story of Coppelia is one full of humour and deception, featuring the aged old love triangle between a boy,a girl and a wooden doll. Of course, the village Lothario Franz doesn’t realise that the new object of his lust, the beautiful lady who sits on the balcony of Dr Coppelius,  quietly reading her book, is a wooden doll. Nor does the lovely Swanilda realise that the rather aloof Coppelia, who she tries to chat too from the town square, isn’t real. Hence, when she finds the key to Dr Coppelius’s house and workshop, she wants to take a closer look at the girl for herself. Franz is also curious about the lovely (albeit slightly wooden) young lady, and uses a ladder to enter the workshop. All chaos ensues when Dr Coppelius arrives and discovers Franz in his home. Could the soul of the young man help transform his beautiful Coppelia into a real girl?

There was much to enjoy in this performance of Coppelia. The always elegant Celine Gittens is a charming heroine, her masquerade as the living doll is just sublime, and she turns out to be the heroine of the piece, rescuing the frankly undeserving Franz from Dr Coppelius and his book of spells. The set piece when Swanilda and her friends creep into the rather spooky workshop is very funny, the ballet moves perfectly mimicking the creeping actions of the girls, and I love the ballerina at the end of the line, so frightened she is almost bent double lest she see anything that scares her. Franz, as played by Tyrone Singleton, is lusty and red-blooded, the perfect hero of the piece, although you almost wish that Swanilda could kick him into touch – he doesn’t exactly treat his betrothed well, despite the ‘ringing’ endorsement from the ear of corn.

The sets are beautiful, evoking Eastern European architecture in the village scene, whilst the costumes really add to the spectacle, particularly in the vibrant red of the opening scenes. I loved the slightly garish, sensuous costume worn by the Gypsy girl (Daria Stanciulescu – exceptional!) who seems intent on leading Franz away from his beloved. And, of course, the music soars across the theatre, those instantly recognisable compositions by Leo Delibes that prove the perfect backdrop to all the dances, as ever played to perfect by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia.

Coppelia is a dream – a gorgeous, frothy and enchanting production that is just the perfect entertainment that will have you smiling from start to finish. Love prevails and everyone is happy at the end of the day – what more could you wish for?

Coppelia is at the Birmingham Hippodrome until 29th October. Click here for details.

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