Presented by Queensland Ballet 'Coppélia' is an encapsulating comedic story about a beautiful, life-like doll created by a Doctor and the divide it creates between two young lovers.
The mind behind this production is choreographer Greg Horsman, whose relationship with the ballet stretches back to the very beginnings of his career. When asked what interested in the production, Greg states, “I've had a lot of history with the ballet 'Coppélia' from being a dancer. When I was 18 I was invited to come up to North Queensland Ballet. They were doing a production of 'Coppélia' and I guested with them in France in the lead principal male role. That was performed in Townsville, Rockhampton and Mackay. Now to be taking my version of the ballet to some of those places, it's really exciting.
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“It resonated with me at the time and when I had the opportunity to create a ballet for Queensland Ballet and Li [Queensland Ballet's Creative Director] asked me what me what my ideas were, I suggested 'Coppélia',” explains Greg. Given his extensive experience in the ballet, both in front of and behind the scenes, Greg is a perfect fit. “From my point of view I can bring the current dancers all the knowledge I learnt myself performing the role and what was passed onto me from dancers before me. For me it's passing on that tradition as well and I enjoy being a part of that process.”
Greg has also adapted the story, changing the setting from an unnamed German village to Hanhdorf, a small German settlement in South Australia. “I remembered years and years ago going on a trip to Handorf, and I was thinking at the time, “God, 'Coppélia' could be set here.” The buildings looked like the set of 'Coppélia' almost. That stuck with me from all those years ago.”
Greg Horsmen © David KellyGreg also added an origin story for the creator of Coppélia, Dr Coppélius. “Traditionally, he's depicted as a doll-maker or toy-maker or sometimes a magician that has some sort of magic maybe, but I didn't want to make his character like that. I wanted to give him more substance and a backstory into why he would be making this doll... I came up with the concept that he and his daughter were migrating from Germany to Handorf for him to be the Doctor in this new settlement. On the voyage from Europe, his daughter is sick and dies as a young child. By the time he gets to Handorf, he's a very broken man. His life is very messed up and he doesn't know what to do. Throughout that he decides that he's going to recreate his daughter, but mechanically.”
Clare Morehen and Paul Boyd © David KellyHowever, even with the dark and tragic backstory, 'Coppélia' is a much more light-hearted and humorous affair than most ballets. “It's good to do a ballet that has humour in it, we all need humour in our life,” says Greg. “For me, I love sitting in the audience and being among people responding to the humour in the production. It's also important to have productions and shows that are more light-hearted and not as serious as say 'Giselle', 'Swan Lake' or 'Romeo And Juliet' with all that tragedy. It's good for the audience to have a combination of all of those stories I think.
“Don't be frightened by going to the ballet if you've never even tried it before,” states Greg. “Most people that I know that have gone for the first time, their usual response is, “my God, I didn't really expect it was going to be like that' – that powerful or engaging.” I think a lot of people feel that they won't understand it but in reality, dance is pretty universal and it's understandable without language.”
Clare Morehen and Huang Junshuang © David KellyQueensland Ballet tour 'Coppélia' regionally from 1-21 May.
Coppelia Tour Dates
Fri 1 May - Empire Theatre (Toowoomba)Tues 5 May - Gladstone Entertainment Centre
Fri 8 May - Pilbeam Theatre (Rockhampton)
Wed 13 May - Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre
Sat 16 & Sun 17 May - Townsvile Civic Theatre
Wed 20 May & Thurs 21 May - The Arts Centre Gold Coast
