What to do in Vancouver: Goh Ballet’s Coppelia at Playhouse Theatre
As the school year winds down, kids are preparing for end of year recitals, performances and report cards. Students at Goh Ballet Academy are putting the final touches on their full-length production of Coppelia, and it’s promising to be a gorgeous, professional production. If you’re wondering what to do in Vancouver with your little dance enthusiast, it’s a great choice.
Behind the Scenes at Coppelia
I was invited to attend the blocking rehearsal for Coppelia, something a writer isn’t usually welcome to attend. With my two daughters in tow, we came in to the theatre through the stage door, behind all the brand-new set pieces, curtains and backdrops to find our seats in the auditorium. Dancers were warming up in the aisles and the choreographers sat right in the front, keeping a watchful eye on the rehearsal. As the music started and the first dancers entered the stage, my five year old sat straight and tall in her big theatre seat, watching the story carefully.
Coppelia is a very old, romantic story, set in a Hungarian village. A young, vivacious couple is in love. A mad inventor, Doctor Coppelius, wants to bring a wooden marionette to life by casting a spell on another human and transferring that person’s breath to the puppet. As Chan Hon Goh, Director of Goh Academy and former Prima Ballerina of the National Ballet of Canada, said in an interview, “One of the things that’s important about doing a full-length ballet is telling the story, and I think it’s important to expose them to that at a very young age.”
All Ages Have a Role
With the combined focus on story and technical skill, Coppelia has lots of great parts for dancers in a fairly wide range of ages. Every student aged seven or eight and older at Goh Ballet Academy has a role to perform in Coppelia if they wish. The most experienced dancers in Coppelia are in their late teens or early twenties, and will be graduating from Goh Ballet this year. If you’re searching out what to do in Vancouver to let your children see performers their own age, this is a great option.
As the youngest dancers finished rehearsing their parts, they came out to sit in the auditorium and watch the rest of the show. These kids have been working hard and are excited to be dancing on stage. It’s clear their hard work is paying off: these kids are good, and they have an impressive list of awards, achievements and credentials behind them.
What to do in Vancouver with Kids
When I set out tonight with my kids, I had a few doubts. At five and three, were my kids too young to appreciate ballet? Was the experience going to go over their heads? But I was reassured when I got there and both girls were mesmerized by the dancing, the sets and the playful story. I’m sure the effect of the full production is going to be fantastic.
As Ms. Goh said, “For anyone that wants to expose their kids to ballet, I think this is a great introduction piece…If you give kids that outlet, the creative expression of dance, that’s a great outlet for their creativity and expression.”
The Scoop
Ballet isn’t just for fancy date nights or special occasions. Ballet tells a story, using the beauty of movement and expression, and even little kids can appreciate that. If you’re wondering what to do in Vancouver this weekend, the ballet is a great choice.
Coppelia is running at the Playhouse Theatre on June 1 and 2, 2012 at 7:00 pm. The full-length production consists of three acts and two intermissions, and tickets are $52.25. On sale at www.ticketstonight.ca or by calling 604.872.4014 ext 126.
