COPPÉLIA!
The Dance Theatre is thrilled to announce that guest artist Nigel Gallienne will be coming to New Plymouth to be in the Dance Theatre’s forthcoming production of COPPELIA.
Nigel trained in New Plymouth and then in London and has danced professionally in England, Germany, South Africa, the USA and in New Zealand. Currently residing in Christchurch, he teaches dance to several dance groups down there.
In his initial training and performing with the Dance Theatre, Nigel was in the Dance Theatre’s first production of the full-length Coppelia in 1979, taking the part of Franz. He will be returning to New Plymouth and will be taking the part of the mysterious toymaker, Dr Coppelius – maker of life-like dolls.
In the story, Swanhilda and her friends steal into his workshop to investigate his ‘daughter’ Coppelia – only to discover that she is not real, but in fact a doll. Swanhilda dresses up and pretends to be Coppelia. Meantime, Franz has also entered the workshop hoping to meet Coppelia. The old toymaker gets him drunk and proceeds to try to bring his beloved Coppelia to life.
After much confusion and chaos, all ends happily with the wedding dances to celebrate the marriage of Swanhilda and Franz. This includes a rousing Hungarian Czardas, a dance for the Dawn and a Spinning dance, and the Dance of the Hours – brought to life by some very tiny and delightful children.
These Coppelia performances are something of a Dance Theatre reunion, as many past performers have returned to be in this favourite show. Not only is Nigel coming back, but he will be dancing with ballerina Jane Roseman and Inge Vink as Swanhilda. Other well know and experienced performers taking part will be Peter Rothwell, Donna Kelly, Michael Takarangi, Davina Moffat and Lynda West. All have previously performed with the Dance Theatre and in their production of Coppelia
Coppélia was one of the first ballets to concern itself with real people – not royalty or supernatural creatures. It is one of most loved of the classical ballets, and one of the favourite comedies of ballet companies around the world. It was first presented in Paris in May 1870, with choreography by Arthur Saint-Leon and music by Leo Delibes. The Hungarian national dance, czardas was first introduced into the ballet and after this items based on national and folk dances became very popular. The ballet, taken from Hoffmann’s story Der Sandmann, was one of the earliest having a doll come to life. When first presented, the part of Franz was taken by a woman, but this has changed with later productions, and there have been many choreographic versions since it was first presented.
Performances will be at the Dance Centre in New Plymouth (306 St Aubyn Street, opposite Mitre 10) on
Friday, September 22 at 9:30 & 11 am
Saturday, September 23 at 1 & 3 pm
Sunday, September 24 at 1 & 3 pm
Tickets are $ 20 for adults, $ 15 for seniors and students, and $ 10 for children with family and group discounts available. Bookings will be at Mementos on Devon Street from the beginning of September.