Coppelia
Our next show will be Coppelia, which we will be performing in St Bride's Centre, on 23rd and 24th October 2026.
A short history of Coppelia
One of ballet’s most enduring works, Coppelia’s story in balletic form was first performed in what is currently the Paris Opera Ballet in 1870. The ballet was choreographed by Arthur Saint-Léon, a very famous choreographer of the time who had collaborated with the composer of the ballet Léo Delibes, once before. Delibes had a knack for creating music to comic effect, and before he had produced a successful ballet named La Source. Bits and pieces of La Source remain in the scene ‘Le Jardin Animé’’ of the ballet Le Corsaire. From Paris, Coppelia then travelled to Russia by the hand of the famous choreographer Marius Petipa, and from there, to many other parts of the world, primarily by the influence of George Balanchine and Dame Ninette de Valois.
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Synopsis
Act 1
In a Silesian town on the border between Poland and Hungary lives an inventor named Dr Coppelius. High on their list of priorities is to be a toy maker, and their most prized invention is a doll they have named Coppelia. The doll is so realistic that the people of the town come to believe that Coppelia is a real girl, a belief that has gathered more strength given that Dr Coppelius usually places Coppelia on the window of their house apparently reading a book.
One Saturday morning Swanhilda, a cheeky lassie who like everyone else, is curious about Coppelia, approaches Dr Coppelius’ house and invites her to talk, but she grows exasperated at the lack of response and leaves. Francesca, the most beautiful girl in town, then comes to dance for Coppelia. In amazement Coppelia starts to dance back to Francesca which she is thrilled about. However when Swanhilda sees this, she becomes jealous and starts to fight with Francesca.
Their fighting is however interrupted by the arrival of a cohort of Polish town’s people, who break into a mazurka dance. Afterwards, the friends of Swanhilda and Francesca arrive and try to console their friend but this quickly turns into a competition of dance abilities between the 2 groups.
The competition is halted by the arrival of a group of Hungarian townspeople, who dance a traditional czardas. Efforts are made to make Swanhilda and Francesca make peace but these don’t prosper. Eventually the town becomes empty as the day draws to a close.
As Dr Coppelius leaves their home, they are invited by a couple of friendly villagers to the pub. Unknowingly, Dr Coppelius drops the keys on the floor. Swanhilda and her friends realise this and curiosity gets the better of them. Whilst Dr Coppelius is away, Swanhilda and her friends capitalize on the chance and break into Dr Coppelius house. Unbeknownst to all of the above, Francesca decides to see Coppelia again and breaks in through the window.
Act 2
Swanhilda and her friends creep into Dr Coppelius’ house and when they get to Coppelia, they realise that she is a doll. They begin to play with Coppelia and all the other dolls in the house. Before long, Dr Coppelius bursts back in and angrily throws Swanhilda’s friends out of their property but Swanhilda herself manages to hide.
Shortly after, Francesca has managed to find the doll room but accidentally bumps straight into Dr Coppelius and panics. She confesses she is just very curious about Coppelia and wants to meet her and be friends. Dr Coppelius’ initial scary attitude changes to a much friendlier stance, as they think an opportunity has arisen to complete a long wanted wish.
Dr Coppelius offers Francesca a drink which he has spiked which causes her to fall asleep. Dr Coppelius attempts a spell to extract Francesca’s soul and transfer it to Coppelia who is actually Swanhilda in disguise.
Swanhilda plays along and makes Dr Coppelius believe that Coppelia has come to life. Swanhilda realises the state that Francesca is in and tries to help her but she needs to measure her moves carefully. Dr Coppelius is over the moon that their spell has ‘worked’ and tries to enchant ‘Coppelia’ with all the toys in the shop. They start by showing her a beautiful Spanish doll who dances with great feeling. ‘Coppelia’ enjoys the Spanish show very much and Dr Coppelius continues with another of their beautiful creations, a Scottish doll who dances with great skill. Swanhilda causes havoc in the toyshop whilst Dr Coppelius tries to comply with all her many wishes, and all the noise finally wakes up Francesca. Swanhilda then reveals the real Coppelia to Francesca and Dr Coppelius before both of them run away from Dr Coppelius’ wrath.
Act 3
It’s a special new day in the Silesian village, as the town’s people celebrate the arrival of a new bell. Francesca is reluctantly grateful to Swanhilda for saving her in Dr Coppelius’s house but they are still ‘frenemies’. Dr Coppelius comes in angry after their Dolls have been destroyed but the girls apologise to them, and the villagers recognise how proud they are of Dr Coppelius’ inventions that have put the town in the map, and reward him in the celebrations of the day by giving him a sash and the privilege of being the first to knock on the bell.
A Waltz is danced by the town’s people signifying the different Hours of the day. This is followed by the arrival of Dawn, the first of the reasons for the toiling of the bell. This is followed by a call to Prayer, the start of the Work day, and the time for Folly and some fun. Finally, the villagers perform a dance in honour of the arrival of the Bell. Swanhilda, Francesca, and their respective friends finally make peace and this is celebrated by a beautiful dance number. The town continues the celebrations until the end of the day.
Credits
Coppelia was directed by Vanessa Smer-Barreto and Rachel Clowes.
Choreography by Vanessa Smer-Barreto, Rachel Clowes, Katy McMillan, and Ashley Cheung.
Photographs by Roddy Simpson
