DELIBES’ ballet Coppelia is a delicious delight, a comic confection of sweetness and light. So what could be better in these dark days of recession and winter gloom than a sparkling performance to lift our spirits?
The Russian State Ballet of Siberia’s production, complemented by the Russian State Ballet Orchestra and presented by Raymond Gubbay, ticked all the boxes with colour, fizzing energy and a lightness of touch. It was both charming and exquisite, bringing out the contrast of the athleticism of the main players and the dancers’ mechanical movements as the puppet characters.
Anna Aulle, in the central role of Swanilda, gave a seemingly effortless performance as the young bride-to-be miffed with her beau, Franz (Ivan Karnaukhov), for his enchantment with the puppet creation of Dr Coppelius. She also managed a graceful switch for her appearance as the doll, with just the right amount of comic touches and what appeared to the audience to be a few near misses with a very busy setting in the toy workshop.
Karnaukhov’s energy was absolutely breathtaking and, quite rightly, had us cheering for more in the final Festival of the Bell scene, which also gave the corps de ballet plenty of chances to showcase their talents. While Swanilda’s friends demonstrated almost childlike joy, the exuberance of the male dancers shone through.
The sets and costumes, by Dmitry Tcherbadzhi, were a stunning and integral part of the performance, with a blend of sumptuous scenes and glittering dresses that looked, for all the world, like a collection of beautifullydecorated fondant fancies.
What a joyous evening; full of charm and exuberance and just what the doctor ordered to dispel the seasonal miseries.
■ Today, 2.30pm and 7.30pm, and tomorrow, 2.30pm. Box office: 01325-348843
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