Coppelia on a hot day in London

We left early for London today... off to see Coppelia at the London Coliseum with the English National Ballet.  After several days of high heat in the UK, this morning was very pleasantly cool to begin with!

 It was a very pleasant ballet; nothing out of this world in terms of choreography but a tale of a bridal couple, an eccentric maker of dolls and a harvest dance.  The Ballet's been described as good family entertainment and that it certainly ways.

The story line is of a couple about to be married.  Franz gets distracted by an attractive girl - Coppelia- sitting reading a book on the balcony of Doctor Coppelius.  Coppelia is, in fact, a doll.  Swanhilda - Franz's bride to be gets a little jealous of his attempts to attract, unsuccessfully, the attentions of Coppelia.

Swanhilda and her friends gain access to the Doctor's home (finding the house key that the doctor dropped), and spend sometime there.  The Doctor returns, the girls then fleeing (with the exception of Swanhilda) and Franz then gains access up the ladder and over the balcony.  The doctor uses Franz's energy to motivate the doll -  Swanhilda having changed places with her .. and and and.... hmmm - hardly any story line really.

The music composed by Leo Delibes was so familiar having virtually grown up listening to most of the music.

I'm sure this will sound familiar..



The dancing was good, the costumes were pretty and it was a very 'pleasant' but unchallenging ballet.  It was enjoyable to watch but not one I'd rush back to see again.

It's approaching Christmas - so it's time for the Nutcracker..

Last year we went to see the Nutcracker ballet for the first time; this year we went again and thoroughly enjoyed it.n   Was it really a year ago!!

There were many children in the audience today.. some who insisted in talking all the way through but..

It was the same production as last year at the Coliseum with the English National Ballet - the music was excellent and the dancing good.  However, sometimes the alignment of the Corps de Ballet did seem a little out... but whom am I to critique...

The sets were wonderful and all the the pieces danced were so smoothly done - I do like the dances in the act two.... each one with its own personality.

The dancers make it look so effortless - sigh..... a beautiful production - would be interested to see a production by the Royal Ballet - just as a comparison.

A cracking afternoon's entertainment ...