New Coppelia opens next month

Posted on August 19, 2021

Full casting has been announced for Coppelia, the inaugural performances by KVN Dance Company. This new production will open at the Cockpit Theatre for a limited run from September 2 to 11. The cast of 13 dancers come from a range of training and professional backgrounds, echoing the company’s mission to present dance in all its forms to the widest possible audience.

Performing in the role of Dr Coppelius is Micheal Downing whose credits include music videos for pop stars Olly Murs, MK and Becky Hill. He is joined by Marina Fraser as Swanhilder, who has danced with The Royal Ballet, English National Ballet and the Viviana Durante Company, and Danny Fogarty as Franz, who recently appeared in Netflix period drama Bridgerton. They are joined by Rosie Southall, Laura Braid, Evonnee Bentley-Holder, Ediz Ibrahim, Tamsin January, Thomas Charles, Jeanie Ryan, Zach Parkin, Diante Lodge and Ellis Rose Rother.

The production is a complete reimagining of the classic ballet, expanding the existing story and delving deeper into the background of the characters. While the traditional ballet focuses on Dr Coppelius, Swanhilda and the life-sized doll that comes between them, this retelling will address his intent on creating the doll and how that affects his relationship with the wider community of villagers.

Coppelia features a remixed version of the original Delibes score by Rickard Berg. The production will also feature costumes and styling by Wendy Olver. KVN Dance Company was founded in 2017 by director and choreographer Kevan Allen, who has created work on stages around the world for Andrew Lloyd Webber, Trevor Nunn and Kylie Minogue, among others. His company aims to bring a diverse mix of choreographic styles and dance forms together to create original and inspiring works that cross all genres of dance. To book tickets, click here.

Pictured: Micheal Downing as Dr Coppelius. Photograph: Roger Robinson. 

Nicola Rayner

Nicola Rayner was editor of Dance Today from 2010 to 2015. She has written for a number of publications including The Guardian, The Independent and Time Out Buenos Aires, where she cut her teeth as a dance journalist working on the tango section. Today she continues to dance everything from ballroom to breakdance, with varying degrees of success. Her debut novel, The Girl Before You, was published last year in paperback, ebook and audiobook.