<P>Julie Tobiason and Uko Gorter in Coppélia. Photo by Ben Kerns.<P><BR>The Seattle Times reviews Pacific Northwest Ballet's "Coppelia". Mary Murfin Bayley does not like some features of the production relating to the mistreatment of Dr. Coppelius, that could be summed up as - the story is not as fluffy as usual. Some of us might think that a good thing. However she does enjoy the dancing: <BR> <BR> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Fortunately on Friday night Julie Tobiason's charming Swanhilda, despite the highly stylized mime, was a subtle and delightful characterization, reaching right out to the audience. She lived the role through and through, portraying a courageous, jolly girl who takes charge when it looks as though her lover is going to muck things up. <P>She was well matched in her Franz. We've seen Olivier Wevers excel in both princely roles and in stylized abstract ballets and now it is a delight to see his comedic side. He was precise and nuanced whether registering bewilderment in love or in a Chaplinesque handling of a ladder. Between Wevers and Tobiason, the first and third act were just about perfect, enhanced by some colorful folk dances.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P><BR><A HREF="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/SeattleTimes.woa/wa/gotoArticle?zsection_id=268448483&text_only=0&slug=pnb30&document_id=134236060" TARGET=_blank><B>Now read on</B></A> <p>[This message has been edited by Stuart Sweeney (edited October 01, 2000).]

Glad to see Olivier excelling as Franz. (Thomas Lund from the Royal Danish Ballet in the second cast should be interesting too.)

PHILIPPA KIRALY reports on a performance of Pacific Northwest Ballet's "Coppelia" with principal dancer Kaori Nakamura as Swanilda, in 'an eye-opening performance'. We also hear about an interesting link with the royal Danish Ballet:<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Her Franz, Thomas Lund, brought a new dimension to the company. He is a principal dancer with the Royal Danish Ballet, which has embarked on an exchange of dancers with PNB for specific ballets.<P>Franz has really very little actual dancing in "Coppelia," bar a variation in the last act that shows off his virile leaps and turns. His is also a role where the characterization counts for as much as the execution of the steps.<P>It would be good to see Lund in a more technically demanding role, as the variation went well, but his portrayal of Franz as a person was delightful. He came across as a charming, enterprising young man, if somewhat fickle. It was quite clear in their performances why Swanilda ultimately chose to marry him.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P> <A HREF="http://seattlep-i.nwsource.com/theater/pnbq3.shtml" TARGET=_blank>http://seattlep-i.nwsource.com/theater/pnbq3.shtml</A>

I had the pleasure of seeing the performance on Saturday, September 30 with Kaori Nakamura and Thomas Lund. Their characterizations were well-paced and well-bred, never lapsing into broad slapstick. Ms. Bailey's criticisms are, I think, based more on her dislike of a couple of key interpretations, rather than an essential disagreement with the choreography. In a subsequent review (unfortunately not available online), she admitted as much. Flaws found in Mr. Gorter's characterization of Dr. Coppelius were rectified in Flemming Halby's performance. Mr. Lund is among the least annoying of any Franz I have seen and Ms. Nakamura makes Swanhilda into a character who can actually engage the interest and sympathy of an audience. Quite a set of accomplishments. PNB is not a company that is known for infusing its story ballets with depth or refinement of character. To discover it in such a work as Coppelia is an unanticipated pleasure.

Thanks Francis - good to hear that PNB have started their season on such good form. Particularly with a ballet as potentially creaky as 'Coppelia'.<p>[This message has been edited by Stuart Sweeney (edited October 16, 2000).]

Please also see our previous discussion at:<P> <A HREF="http://www.criticaldance.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/000399.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.criticaldance.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/000399.html</A>