COPPELIA 2024 UK TOUR
Following sold out performances in London, KVN Dance Company tours the UK in 2024 with Kevan Allen’s magical reimagining of the beloved classical ballet, Coppelia.
This retelling explores eccentric toy maker Dr Coppelius’ creation of a life-size clockwork doll, Coppelia and the impact this has on his relationship with the community of villagers and on Swanhilda’s relationship with her fiancé, Franz.
Fusing classical ballet with contemporary dance and hip-hop, Coppelia features the full classical Delibes score imaginatively rescored by Rickard Berg and nominated for the Critics’ Circle National Dance Award for Outstanding Creative Contribution.
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Following a highly successful workshop and London run in 2021, KVN takes its magical production of the retelling of the classical Ballet of Coppelia on a tour around the UK. A full re-mix of Delibes original classical score is used to explore the story, delving deeper into the background of all the characters and Dr. Coppelius creation of a life sized clockwork doll for himself.
Coppelia focuses mostly on the relationship between Swanhilda and her betrothed, Franz and how the doll of Coppelia comes between them. How the doll effects all of the relationships amongst the villagers and how Dr. Coppelius is ostracised by the community. Through the story we see how the villagers’ perception changes and how he finally overcomes the prejudice and gossip that surrounds him and he eventually becomes accepted.
The existing classical score of the ballet is expanded and developed - reinventing and re-interpreting the original inspirations that brought the music and dance together to give the overall feel of the audience being ensconced inside the head of a crazy, creative inventor’s mind.
This reworking of the traditional ballet brings the story to life in an exhilarating and exciting way for the audience of today.
RICKARD BERG
Composer/Musical arrangement
Rickard Berg is a Swedish composer, re-mixer, writer and producer. Artists that he has collaborated with include Mica Paris, Mick Jagger & Gavin Rossdale.
Rickard's score is constructed around the original Delibes classical version – but with added samples, effects and new orchestrations so that the whole score has a new edge to it to create a modern broader atmosphere. The existing version is very light in tone whilst this version is more dark and un-nerving.
WENDY OLVER
Costume & Styling
New Zealand-born Wendy Olver is a multi-talented designer, costumier and stylist. Her clients range from Tiffany & Co, Diesel, Harvey Nichols, Disney, Mulberry, Agent Provocateur and to individuals including Elton John & Bob Geldof.
Her work has featured in everything from music videos and fashion shoots to window displays and advertising.
The style of Coppelia is slightly fantasy / steam punk / fairy tale with Victorian influences - but not set in any given time frame or period.
The innovative approach of this production fuses together a range of dance styles from classical to street, with the music imaginatively re-worked to compliment this. The objective is to challenge existing stereotypes of particular dance genres, creating a piece that is accessible and inspiring to all.
The bringing together of different dance styles will broaden the reach and scope of the piece. Engaging audiences and challenging perceptions and stereotypes of the various styles presented. Such an approach aims to engage those who may enjoy traditional classical/contemporary dance, whilst introducing them to new urban techniques, and vice versa. In addition, the project aims to expand the cultural capital of the public and break down some of the well-known barriers to engaging diverse audiences in various dance genres.
