Michael Coleman steals the show in ENB's inspiring production, writes David Bellan

Even before the curtain goes up on this production, hopes are raised by the orchestra’s sparkling playing of the overture, under Alex Ingram. Then it rises, and we’re in a kind of peasant-rococo village, with its towering, onion-dome church. Designer Desmond Heeley has done a great job here, and even more so on the costumes — a sumptuous sight in orange and green and gold, with eye-catching scarlet boots. These must be the most luxuriously-dressed peasants and townsfolk in the history of theatre!

So... it sounds good, it looks good, but how was it ? Pretty good, with moments of inspiration.

Tamara Rojo, a former star of the Royal Ballet, and now ENB’s artistic director, cast herself in the role of Swanilda on the opening night, partnered by the young Yonah Acosta — nephew of the legendary Carlos — as her fiancé, Franz. Swanilda is put out when she sees Franz making advances to a girl reading in a window. She, of course, is Coppelia, a doll, but neither of them knows that yet. It’s hard to gauge how sulky to be, but since this is a light, frothy work, I would say that Rojo looks a bit too sour for too long, and generally is rather short on charm. However, she plays the comedy of the second act well, and comes into own in the grand finale, when she shows us her pure ballerina qualities.

Acosta plays Franz, rightly, as a cheeky chappie with a roving eye, who nevertheless knows that Swanilda is the girl for him. His dancing is fine and his acting excellent — he certainly knows that this is a comedy.

But the performance of the evening came from Michael Coleman as Dr Coppelius, the doll’s inventor. Usually played as a doddery old eccentric, Coleman adds to this a fondness for a drink, and a twinkle in his eye. When Coppelia “comes to life” and starts to dance, he can’t resist trying to join in. I have never seen in any other produc-tion the extraordinary machine, full of steam and flashing lights and frightening-looking cables, with which he attempts to transfer Franz’s life force to his doll. His is a heart-warming performance, in which you can’t help feeling his pain, when the realisation of his life’s dream turns out to have been a cruel practical joke.

This is a show to lift the spirits, with some very good casts.

Coppelia
New Theatre, Oxford
Until Saturday
0844 871 3020