Coppélia, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Birmingham Hippodrome

Jun 21 2011

THERE are no princesses, princes of fairies in this ballet.

But it doesn’t make the production any less magical.

Coppélia is the story of everyday peasant folk in Eastern Europe who become transfixed by the strange workings of the local inventor Dr Coppélius.

Whizzing and whirring noises accompanied by puffs of smoke regularly emanate from his workshop.

And soon the youngsters are keen to investigate an odd-looking woman who mysteriously appears on his balcony and appears to flirt with a young man Franz, whose girlfriend Swanhilde is less than impressed.

The plot line isn’t the most thrilling, although it does throw up plenty of comedy.

The real star of this show is the breathtaking choreography, by English ballet veteran Peter Wright.

This is spectacularly brought to life by BRB principal Elisha Willis.

Her remarkable en pointe performances kept the audience captivated throughout the show.

This culminated in an enthralling dance of peace with co-dancer Matthew Lawrence before the curtain came down.

The show will run in Birmingham until Saturday and is then going to Dublin’s Grand Canal Theatre for a run.

Fionnuala Bourke