Coppélia, English National Ballet

Tamara Rojo returns to the Coliseum in 'Coppélia', the English National Ballet’s immaculate production.
The ballet Coppélia is the jolly story of Franz, a young villager infatuated with a perfect face at a window and the lesson he’s taught by his spirited girlfriend, Swanhilda. The face is, of course, that of Coppélia – a very special doll created by the mysterious inventor Dr. Coppelius; all ends well with the boisterous reunion of a chastened Franz and his triumphant Swanhilda.
The English National Ballet’s production of Coppélia, now on its way to The Coliseum, was choreographed in 1985 by the former Royal Ballet principal dancer, Ronald Hynd,  and has become, in the words of The Guardian,  ‘a deservedly popular staple of the company’s repertory’ .
Set to truly delightful music by Leo Delibes, it was the first ballet to include the czardas folk dance among its divertissements. It was first performed in Paris in 1870, during a period of transition from mid-nineteenth century Romantic ballets (such as Giselle) to the Neo-classical ballets of the Russian Imperial court (such as Swan Lake).
Children will revel in its lively dancing, pretty costumes and the central sequence where the doll appears to come to life; adults may want to reflect on how the ballet portrays the early nineteenth century fascination with automata and the ‘life force,’ as well as the later nineteenth century concerns with the doppelgänger.  
For prime ballet tickets, London has plenty to offer in this production. As a special treat on Thursday 24th July and Saturday 26th July evening, the ENB ’s Artistic Director, Tamara Rojo, will dance the role of Swanhilda. Her guest partner will be Alban Lendorf, principal dancer with The Royal Danish Ballet. Described by The New York Times as ‘one of the world’s most exceptional dancers,” Lendorf received the prestigious Benois de la Danse award of 2013.