Press Release: KVN Dance Company presents Coppelia on tour across the UK next spring with casting now announced

Jan McNulty · November 14, 2023

Press Release

For release Tuesday 14 November 2023

KVN Dance Company presents

Coppelia

UK Tour

Wednesday 10 April - Sunday 30 June 2024

www.kvndancecompany.com/coppelia

“… this clever reimagining remains true to the ballet’s spirit whilst creating something new and appealing.” Dancing Times

Following sold-out performances in 2021, KVN Dance Company make a welcome return with Kevan Allen’s magical reimagined version of the classical ballet Coppelia, touring to 17 venues across the UK next spring.

Coppelia looks to honour the classical ballet while expanding on the story to make it relevant to audiences today. This retelling explores the eccentric toy maker, Dr Coppelius’ intent behind creating 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 a cast of 13 dancers who perform to the classical Delibes score imaginatively remixed by Rickard Berg and nominated for the Critics’ Circle National Dance Award for Outstanding Creative Contribution. Berg has previously collaborated with artists including Mick Jagger, Mica Paris and Gavin Rossdale.

Coppelia also sees costumes and styling by Wendy Olver, whose credits include Sir Elton John, Mulberry, and Harvey Nichols, with sets by West End designer Justin Williams and lighting by Olivier Award-winner Mike Robertson.

KVN Dance Company was founded in 2017 by renowned director and choreographer Kevan Allen, who has created work on stages around the world for a range of creatives including Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Trevor Nunn and Kylie Minogue.

The 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 and introduce Kevan’s eclectic and innovative style to new audiences.

Artistic Director and Choreographer, Kevan Allen said: “I couldn’t be happier to see Coppelia return to the stage next spring, following the wonderful success of the shows premiere in 2021. I adore the movement and physicality of the body and want to develop dance experiences so people can witness the vitality and power of the performers up close. I am extremely excited to introduce our version of Coppelia to audiences up and down the country and for them to experience the joy of dance.”

Listings Information

KVN Dance Company presents

Coppelia

Leicester Curve

Wednesday 10 April 2024

www.curveonline.co.uk/

Tickets on sale 21 November 2023

The Elgiva Theatre, Chesham

Thursday 11 April 2024

www.elgiva.com/coppelia/

Lichfield Garrick Theatre

Tuesday 16 April 2024

www.lichfieldgarrick.com/

Tickets on sale shortly

Towngate Theatre, Basildon

Wednesday 17 April 2024

www.towngatetheatre.co.uk/coppelia/

Corn Exchange Newbury

Thursday 18 April 2024

www.cornexchangenew.com/event/coppelia

Queens Theatre, Barnstaple

Friday 19 April 2024

www.queenstheatre-barnstaple.com/event/coppelia/

Marylebone Theatre, London

Wednesday 24 – Saturday 27 April 2024

www.marylebonetheatre.com/

Lancaster Grand Theatre

Wednesday 19 June 2024

www.lancastergrand.co.uk/shows/coppelia/

Albany Theatre, Coventry

Thursday 20 June 2024

www.albanytheatre.co.uk/shows/coppelia/

Storyhouse Chester

Friday 21 June 2024

www.storyhouse.com/whats-on/kvn-dance-company-coppelia/

Darlington Hippodrom

Sunday 23 June 2024

www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk/whats-on/KVN-Dance-Company-Presents-Coppelia

Watersmeet Theatre, Rickmansworth

Tuesday 25 June 2024

www.watersmeet.co.uk/coppelia

Kings Lynn Corn Exchange

Wednesday 26 June 2024

www.kingslynncornexchange.co.uk/

Tickets on sale shortly

Marina Theatre, Lowestoft

Thursday 27 June 2024

www.marinatheatre.co.uk/whatson-event/the-kvn-dance-company-production-of-coppelia/

New Theatre, Peterborough

Friday 28 June 2024

www.newtheatre-peterborough.com/

Tickets on sale shortly

Exeter Northcott

Saturday 29 June 2024

www.exeternorthcott.co.uk/

Tickets on sale shortly

Worthing Connaught Theatre

Sunday 30 June 2024

www.wtm.uk/events/coppelia/

Jan McNulty · November 14, 2023

Here's a trailer:

Ondine · November 14, 2023

39 minutes ago, Jan McNulty said:

Lancaster Grand Theatre

Worth the (very reasonable) ticket price to be in that lovely historic theatre! It is indeed 'grand'. (Lancaster is a delight to visit too.)

https://visitlancaster.org.uk/attractions/lancaster-grand-theatre/

Lancaster Grand Theatre first opened in 1782 and was known simply as The Theatre, Lancaster. 1908 saw a fire which gutted the interior but less than eight months later, it reopened in the form it is today.

The Theatre has been in continuous use for 200 years. In 1951 the Lancaster Footlights bought the theatre to secure a venue for amateur drama and music in the city. It hosts many popular comedians, singers, bands and theatre touring shows as well as in-house productions. Guided tours of the interior offer the chance of sighting the reputed ghost of actress Sarah Siddons!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Theatre,_Lancaster

Edited November 14, 2023 by Ondine

Jan McNulty · March 6

Press Release

Tuesday 5 March 2024

Full casting announced for KVN Dance Company’s UK tour of Coppelia

KVN Dance Company is thrilled to announce the full cast for Kevan Allen’s magical reimagined version of the classical ballet Coppelia which tours to 16 venues across the UK from 10 April - 30 June 2024.

unnamed.png.36b43edeedbb1d9529651f703620ccb1.png

The eclectic cast of 12 dancers come from a variety of training and professional backgrounds, echoing the production’s use of different dance styles to make the story relevant to audiences today.

Performing in the role of Dr Coppelius is Micheal Downing, a dancer with a wide range of experience on stage and screen who is set to appear in the new Apple TV series The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin. In the title role of Coppelia is Rosie Southall who has worked with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures and Wayne McGregor. Both Micheal and Rosie reprise their roles following the productions debut in 2021.

Dancing in the role of Swanhilda is Ellie Fergusson, who won the BBC’s inaugural The Greatest Dancer competition and has performed on tour in Oti Mabuse - I Am Here and with Ballet Central. In the role of Franz is Zach Parkin who has danced with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures and appeared in West End productions including A Streetcar Named Desire and ABBA Voyage.

They are joined by Alexander Fadayiro (Ballet Black), Laura Braid (Cabaret in the West End), Alex Moore (Magic Mike’s Last Dance), Celeste Williamson (For Tonight in the West End), Taz Hoesli (ZooNation Youth Company), Oliver Imeson (2020: The Musical), Sophie Tierney (Hansel & Gretel at the Royal Opera House), and Ellis Rose Rother (Spotlights: A New Musical).

Coppelia looks to honour the classical ballet while expanding on the story, exploring the eccentric toy maker, Dr Coppelius’ intent behind creating 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 is choreographed by renowned director and choreographer Kevan Allen, who has created work on stages around the world for artists including Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Trevor Nunn, and Kylie Minogue.

The production is set to an imaginatively rescored version of the classical Delibes score, by Rickard Berg, nominated for the Critics’ Circle National Dance Award for Outstanding Creative Contribution, and sees costumes and styling by Wendy Olver, sets by West End designer Justin Williamsand lighting by Olivier Award-winner Mike Robertson.

Coppelia tours to Leicester Curve (10 April), The Elgiva Theatre, Chesham (11 April), Lichfield Garrick Theatre (16 April), Towngate Theatre, Basildon (17 April), Corn Exchange Newbury (18 April), Queens Theatre, Barnstaple (19 April), Marylebone Theatre (24 - 27 April), Lancaster Grand Theatre (19 June), Albany Theatre, Coventry (20 June), Storyhouse, Chester (21 June), Darlington Hippodrome (22 June), Watersmeet Theatre, Rickmansworth (25 June), Kings Lynn Corn Exchange (26 June), Marina Theatre, Lowestoft (27 June), Exeter Northcott (29 June) and Worthing Connaught Theatre (30 June).

Listings Information

KVN Dance Company presents

Coppelia

Leicester Curve

Wednesday 10 April 2024

www.curveonline.co.uk/

The Elgiva Theatre, Chesham

Thursday 11 April 2024

www.elgiva.com/coppelia/

Lichfield Garrick Theatre

Tuesday 16 April 2024

www.lichfieldgarrick.com/