Coppelia
And thank you, Varna International Ballet, for your first visit to our city. It was an absolute delight to have the opportunity watch you perform. Please, please, please, come back soon.
Norwich Theatre Royal
At a time when touring theatre, dance and opera companies in this country are facing huge cuts in their funding, it is doubly pleasing this week to welcome the Varna International Ballet to Norwich, on a tour in which the company not only celebrates its 75th anniversary, but also visits the UK for the very first time. Tonight, the company performs Giselle, and on Wednesday it will be the iconic Swan Lake. But, for me, tonight is opening night at Norwich Theatre Royal, and a chance to kick back and enjoy the light-hearted comedy of errors that is Coppélia, with music by Léo Delibes, and choreography by Alexander Gorsky and Gergana Karaivanova.
Originally performed in Paris in 1870, Coppélia is a confection of 19th romanticism, and Lora Marinova's set design and the costumes reflect this superbly, a mixture of fondant pastels and Quality Street boldness, the perfect balance of beauty and bravado. The scenery is modest, so as not to distract from the dancers, but more than adequately represents both the village square and Doctor Coppélius' doll workshop.
The dancers, who are all young and incredibly light on their feet, are drawn from all over Europe but predominantly from Italy, France and Spain. Vittorio Scolè, as Franz, and Nahia Barcena as his fiancée Swanilda are wonderfully expressive, displaying both lightness of touch and strength of body in their pas de deux. Andrea Conforti is stunning, too, in her role as the Coppélia Doll – both her fluidity and grace, and her mechanised movements, simply have to be seen to be believed. Federico Farina is resplendent in his dark hat and cape, playing the part of Dr Coppélius the toy maker with the comedic malevolance of a Dick Dastardly (if any of you are old enough to remember Wacky Races!). And Pierre Gaston, as the Burgomeister, adds lashings of Gallic flair to his role.
The orchestra, conducted by Peter Tuleshkov, really brings Delibes' score to life with a lightness of touch that comprehensively enriches the movement on stage.
All in all, there were thirty two dancers taking the curtain call at the end of this performance – an incredible cast by whichever means you wish to measure. The synchrony of their movement, the elegance and the poise, and the irrepressible smiles on the faces of each and every one of the troupe, were an absolute delight to watch. And a special mention to Claire Gillard and Perdita Lancaster, the two UK dancers performing tonight in this truly pan-European production.
Now go out and tell it to the suits at Westminster. Hands off our bloody UK arts funding! We have already witnessed Glyndebourne's decision to cancel their long-standing touring programming. As regular visitors to Norwich Theatre Royal, their absence will be sorely missed. Please let there be no more further departures from our visiting book of returning friends.
And thank you, Varna International Ballet, for your first visit to our city. It was an absolute delight to have the opportunity watch you perform. Please, please, please, come back soon.
