5 April – 25 May 2014, at the Peacock Theatre London and on tour, English National Ballet and English National Ballet School present the third in their My First Ballet series with Coppélia, the comic tale of an eccentric toymaker and his mechanical doll, performed by ENB School students, and narrated by Michael Coleman to ensure that children aged 3 and above enjoy their first taste of classical ballet.
Last year’s creative team of Gavin Sutherland (musical director) and George Williamson (concept, direction and choreography based on Ronald Hynd’s original production) will be collaborating again.
The adapted story and choreography will make it more approachable for younger audiences, but the dancers will wear costumes from the company’s full production giving audiences the look, feel and quality of a classic ballet.
Hoping to inspire long term relationships with the art form, reaching out to newcomers today and developing the audience of tomorrow, Coppélia builds on the success of My First Sleeping Beauty and My First Cinderella.
English National Ballet School is a touring company featuring second year students of outstanding potential in performances produced by English National Ballet, continuing the initiative to bring ballet to young audiences.
English National Ballet was awarded a £114,520 grant from the Leverhulme Trust in 2013. The grant was awarded to support two years of the series. Naturally, English National Ballet is pleased to announce that the funding will also support My First Ballet: Coppélia, helping to develop the dancers of the future and enable students to gain vital skills by working with a professional company.
George Williamson, ENB Associate Artist and graduate of English National Ballet School, said: “I am so pleased to be working on the My First Ballet series for a second year. Last year’s production reached over 45,000 children and it’s fantastic to be a part of their first steps to becoming supporters of the ballet.