The Australian Ballet: Coppélia

Subscribe now

Book now

Three acts of magic, mayhem and mistaken identity

Coppélia has everything a good story ballet should: a touch of magic, a dash of romance and masses of sumptuous costumes. It all begins at the Harvest Festival, where the appearance of Dr Coppelius and his mysterious 'doll' Coppélia upset the celebrations. Village boy Franz falls for Coppélia but when his feisty fiancée exacts her revenge, he learns the hard way not to romance living dolls. Coppélia has been a family favourite for 140 years now, and this production is one of the very finest, with fairytale sets and costumes and a thoroughly danceable score.

"Pure escapism"
Daily Telegraph

"Still enchantingly fresh after 130 years"
The Sunday Age

Credits

Coppélia (1979)

Directed and devised by George Ogilvie
Additional choreography Peggy van Praagh
Music Léo Delibes
Costume and set design Kristian Fredrikson
Lighting design Francis Croese reproduced by John Berrett

With Orchestra Victoria

This performance runs for approximately 144 minutes including two intervals.

Act One - The village square

The villagers are preparing for the Harvest Festival. The official party, led by the Town Councillor, celebrates the gift of a bell by the Seigneur and his Lady.

The celebration is momentarily interrupted by Dr Coppelius whose mysterious 'daughter' causes a quarrel between Swanilda and her fiance Franz. The villagers, after continuing the celebration with the czardas, disperse to await the Harvest Festival the following morning. Meanwhile, Swanilda and her friends investigate the strange house of Dr Coppelius.

Act Two - Inside the house of Dr Coppelius - that evening

Swanilda and her friends search for the girl they earlier saw on the balcony. However, Coppelius returns and chases them - except Swanilda, who hides - from his house.

Franz arrives and Coppelius wickedly endeavours to take his spirit from him and put it into the body of his 'daughter', his most prized possession. Coppelius is fooled by Swanilda and thinks his mechanical doll has come to life.

The lovers are reunited and Dr Coppelius is left broken-hearted.

Act Three - Outside the church - the next morning

The day of celebration has arrived and the couples are married. The gathered villagers celebrate the pageant day with joyous dancing.

Casting is subject to change without notice.

Thursday 10 June 7.30pm