Coppélia

Ballet Jörgen Canada revisits a classic ballet with their unique retelling of Coppélia

Choreographer Bengt Jörgen
Music Léo Delibes
Costume Design Gary Dahms
Set & Lighting Design Glenn Davidson
Run Time Two hours with one intermission.

The story takes us to the magical world of Dr. Coppélius, a disillusioned toy maker in search of the perfect partner.His quest drives him to create a dancing doll so beautiful that Nathanael, one of the local villagers, falls madly in love with her.Nathanael’s spurned sweetheart Klara delivers retribution by dressing as the doll and pretending to come to life.A journey that transcends the boundaries of real versus imaginary experiences, this classic love story is told through the vibrant contemporary choreography of the award winning Bengt Jörgen.

The set is made up of large interlocking and movable three-dimensional shapes, and costumes reflect the design with geometric ships and bright, primary colours. Scenes change by moving and altering the formation of these cubes and the physical transformations of scene changes are integrated into the choreography, emphasizing the playful atmosphere of this artificial world.

PRESS QUOTES

“With wonderfully expressionisticmodular sets and whimsical costumes that seemto be inspired by a combination of Cubismand Surrealism, the production succeeds because it does not try to ape larger versions.“
– Michael Crabb,TheWorld and I

“The entire Jörgen company fills the stage with such exquisite life you are swept along for an entertaining ride.”
– Gary Smith,The Hamilton Spectator

“It was innovative,whimsical and amusing, yet dramatic in all the right places.”
– Susan Doolan,The Barrie Examiner