Theatre / english national ballet
Review: Copp?lia, Bristol Hippodrome
Once known as a classic girls’ first ballet, Coppélia has acquired something of a dodgy reputation in the post-feminist world. On the face of it, it’s an odd if not slightly sinister tale of how a village Lothario ditches his real-life, living, breathing fiancée (virtually at the altar) to pursue an apparently perfect but soulless, lifeless automaton created by a steampunk nutty professor (lots of curly wires and explosions borrowing the imagery of Metropolis and Bride Of Frankenstein). Why, then, does he deserve rescue – let alone redemption and a happy ending?
Answer: because that’s an incredibly humourless reading of a charming, frothy bit of fluff that just fizzes with effervescence and (finally) becomes a celebration of life itself. Franz – danced superbly by the rightly celebrated Yonah Acosta in this English National Ballet production – may indeed be a bit of a jerk: but his adventure is triggered by curiosity, not lust, and anyway he doesn’t stand a chance of getting away with it.
His true love Swanilda – performed by the perky and delightful Shiori Kase, another dancer very much on the way up – is much smarter than he is and a wonderfully strong, irreverent, empowered character. She’s courageous, resourceful, funny and clearly the leader of the gang – her girlfriends adore her and will do anything for her – including daring to enter the creepy lair of Dr Coppéllus (the aforesaid nutty prof), played by the wonderfully comedic Michael Coleman.
This is a delightful production – sublime music by Délibes (you’ll recognise the tunes) and wonderful dancing that becomes the true focus of attention in Act 3 once the story is more or less out of the way. Sure, it’s very traditional ballet and you may come close to gagging on the chocolate-box, cuckoo-clock set design: but if you can get over that and relax, Coppélia is a hugely enjoyable experience.
Coppélia continues at Bristol Hippodrome until Saturday, 8 November. For more information and to book tickets, visit http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/coppelia/bristol-hippodrome/
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