Coppelia @ Palace Theatre By Robert Beale for Manchester online
WAITING to see Coppelia in Manchester is like waiting for the no. 73 bus: you hang around for ages and then along come two almost together.
So, after Birmingham Royal Ballet's at the Lowry six weeks ago, now we have English National Ballet's at the Palace.
Both are beautifully staged and costumed story-book productions with substantial sets and a big company to mount the piece in traditional style.
This one, Ronald Hynd's, made in 1985 for ENB's progenitor, London Festival Ballet, is just as cheerful and good-hearted as I remember it, and the almost Disney-esque design by Desmond Heeley gives it enchantment.
Maybe the slightly camp male costumes are a bit outdated by today's standards, but the people dancing in them are not.
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