The Australian Ballet: Coppélia

A sparkling tale of magic and mischief

Coppélia has everything a good story ballet should: a touch of enchantment, a dash of romance and masses of sumptuous costumes.

Swanilda and Franz are in love until the appearance of Dr Coppelius and his mysterious daughter Coppélia upset the celebrations. However, Dr Coppelius’ haughty daughter is not what she seems, and Swanilda must rescue Franz from the magician’s sinister doll-filled lair – with the help of some fancy footwork!

Swanilda and her merry boyfriend Franz live in a village with Dr Coppelius, a sinister magician and inventor who has created a beautiful doll that he sits on his balcony. One day Franz sees the doll, Coppélia, and becomes infatuated with her.

Swanilda and her friends decide to explore Dr Coppelius’ house while he is out to see who the mysterious woman is, but he returns suddenly and Swanilda hides – pretending to be Coppélia. At the same time, the love-struck Franz climbs into the house but is also discovered. He is invited in and offered a drink with sleeping draught in it, as Dr Coppelius plans to steal his life force to animate his doll.

When Franz passes out, Coppelius brings out Coppélia so Swanilda pretends to be a doll coming to life. Coppelius is delighted – until Swanilda manages to wake Franz and they escape from the house and are married, sealing their love with a tender pas de deux.

Sorcery and masquerade, romance and high jinks – this is the funniest, sunniest ballet you’ll see all year.