National Ballet Kids Theatre Show – My First Ballet: Coppelia

We really enjoy going to the theatre and seeing family shows together, but we have never been to the ballet before. Although ballet is usually seen as a girl’s activity, boys also enjoy watching ballet.

Our little boy has been looking forward to My First Ballet: Coppelia as soon as we told him about it.  He was over the moon when the day finally arrived and we went to Peacock Theatre in London to see My First Ballet: Coppelia, presented by English National Ballet and English National Ballet School.

My First Ballet: Coppelia is perfect to introduce ballet to little ones, through a clever mixture of beautiful dance and music in a magical fairytale.

 

It tells the story of Dr Coppelius, an eccentric toymaker and inventor that created a lifelike doll, Coppelia. Everyone in the neighbourhood thought he was crazy as he was different to others. One day, Dr Coppelius placed his doll Coppelia in the balcony holding a book, pretending she was reading.

Swanilda, the Mayor’s daughter, tried to catch Coppelia’s attention unaware she was merely a doll and got annoyed the doll didn’t come down from the balcony to join her to dance. When Swanilda’s fiancée Franz passes by, Dr Coppelius hides behind Coppelia and pretends she is blowing him a kiss, which was seen by Swanilda.

After the event, Swanilda wanted to find out more about the mysterious girl, so she went to Dr Coppelius’ house with her friends while he was out and, in order to hide away, she had to take the doll’s place when he returned. For a moment, Dr Coppelius thought that he finally managed to bring Coppelia to life.

Although the story sounds complicated, it is easy to understand and it has a beautiful storyline with gorgeous dancing.  Little man’s favourite part was at the end of the show when everyone was dancing at Swanilda and Franz’ wedding party, it was a happy ending to a great kids’ show.

English National Ballet’s My First Ballet: Coppelia is on tour until 25 May 2014. For more information and tour dates, please check: http://www.ballet.org.uk/whats-on/my-first-ballet-coppelia/

We attended My First Ballet: Coppelia on behalf of What’s Good To Do. The opinions expressed in this review are honest and our own. This post can be found at http://www.whatsgoodtodo.com/pages/view/my_first_ballet_coppelia_at_the_peacock_theatre_review