Blackburn's futuristic Coppélia makes these robots hard to love

Nikla Jendrics, Ensemble Ballett am Rhein in Coppélia X Machina

Ensemble Ballett am Rhein in Coppélia X Machina

Miquel Martínez Pedro in *Coppélia X Machina

Wun Sze Chan and Orazio Di Bella in *Coppélia X Machina

By Vikki Jane Vile, 02 February 2023

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“Jendric’s soullessly sadistic Coppélius’ is a perennial lurker”

Reviewed at Opernhaus, Düsseldorf on 1 February 2023

Coppélia x machina (Hélène Blackburn)

Ballett am Rhein

Patrick Francis Chestnut, Conductor

Paul Zoller, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Emmanuel Landry, Lighting Designer

A danced puzzle: Les Beaux Dormants

Graham Watts, 24th November

A fast-paced modern reinterpretation of The Sleeping Beauty is hard to understand

**111

Ballett am Rhein: Boléro still thrills audiences

Vikki Jane Vile, 14th September

Ballett am Rhein open their season by bringing their programme to Düsseldorf, Soirée Ravel. Marking the 150th birthday of composer Maurice Ravel, audiences are treated to four of his most famous compositions.

***11

Ballett am Rhein’s Russ: skillful storytelling but sobering viewing

Vikki Jane Vile, 24th May

“Russ” translates as “soot”, the title of Bridget Breiner’s retelling of Cinderella. However it’s the role of Livia, the rather spirited Stepsister who must navigate the family trauma.

***11

Exciting new talents at Ballett am Rhein in a versatile new programme

Vikki Jane Vile, 23rd March

After a more traditional direction from the new leadership of Ballett am Rhein in their season opener, new programme Kaleidoskop is a mixed selection that sees a fusion of contemporary and neoclassical choreography.

****1

Ballett am Rhein are unrecognisable in season opener

Vikki Jane Vile, 27th October

It’s all change at the Ballett am Rhein with new Chief Choreographer, Bridget Breiner, and Ballet Director, Raphaël Coumes-Marquet taking over from Demis Volpi for the 24/25 season.

****1

Demis Volpi leaves Ballett am Rhein with his Favourite Things

Vikki Jane Vile, 7th July

As we reached the end of season gala, Ballett am Rhein offered up a selection of highlights from the past four seasons in celebration of outgoing Artistic Director, Demis Volpi.

***11

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Vikki Jane Vile

Vikki Jane Vile has been reviewing dance for over ten years, specialising in Ballroom and Ballet. In 2018, she became a member of the Critics' Circle for Dance. Vikki writes for BroadwayWorld and previously Dancing Times, LondonDance.com and CultureWhisper. She also prides herself on being a Strictly Come Dancing connoisseur since its inception and has appeared on BBC radio and several podcasts as an expert on all things Strictly. Having lived in London for ten years, she is now based in Germany and adapting to the Berlin dance scene.