Coppélia ★★★★★ St. Gabriel's Halls | Aug 3 - 6 & 12 - 14, 2021


Coppélia shows that ballet can really be fun, especially in the hands of a choreographer as talented as William Spencer. He certainly removes the 'elitist' tag classically based dance can be tainted with. In tandem with musical director Aaron Clingham, Spencer makes something interesting and delightful to both the eye and the ear. E.T.A. Hoffmann's original story remains intact, at least in essence, but gone are girls in tutus to be replaced by three handsome young gay men. Our lusty heroes are interested in the wares displayed in a fetish shop run by the lecherous Dr. C., Thomas Edward Buckley, who dances very well as the proprietor and elicits plenty of fun with his perfect timing. It is, however, the three young men who own the show. Hayden Tierney dances superbly and exudes sexuality, especially in his erotic bedroom pas de deux paired with the wonderfully supple dancing of Lewis Rimmer. Jack Buchanan is properly puckish as their friend. All three guys are obviously very well trained and their placement, spins, extensions and jumps are excellently executed. Spencer's choreography plays to their strengths whilst paying obvious homage to some of the greats including Jerome Robbins, Bob Fosse and, of course, Matthew Bourne. Spencer definitely stamps his own mark on this delightful and amusing work; not even Bourne has created a dance involving dildos! At fifty-five minutes this ballet really stretches the dancers, but their efforts and boundless energy are most definitely worthwhile. Coppélia is beautifully danced and terrifically entertaining.

Rated: ★★★★★

Reviewed by D.S.J.
Photo by Brittain Photography.

Want to save on tickets? See our Tips page.

When, Where, Getting there:

Most Popular

Giffords Circus ★★★★ Chiswick House & Gardens | June 2 - 19, 2023

Skid/SAABA ★★★★★ Sadler's Wells Theatre | May 11 - 13, 2023

Gypsy ★★★★★ The Mill at Sonning | May 24 - Jul 15, 2023

The Circle ★★★★★ Orange Tree Theatre | Apr 29 - Jun 17, 2023

The Shape of Things ★★★★★ Park Theatre | May 24 - Jul 1, 2023

TONY! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] ★★★★ Leicester Square Theatre | Apr 15 - May 21, 2023

Brokeback Mountain ★★★★★ @sohoplace | May 10 - Aug 12, 2023

China’s hidden century ★★★★★ The British Museum | May 18 - Oct 8, 2023

St. Martin in-the-fields: Lunchtime Concerts ★★★★ FREE

Rose ★★★★ Ambassadors Theatre | May 23 - Jun 18, 2023

The City Life Magazine | Reviews & Ratings