To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Dance Academy is staging the comedic ballet ‘Coppelia’, on Sunday 15 December at 7pm at St. Agatha’s College, in Rabat. The ballet will be performed by Dance Academy’s semi-professional youth dance company, the da Dance Company.

The da Dance Company project was launched in October 2010.  It offers a unique opportunity for  students at Dance Academy, studying at Advanced vocational graded level, to perform classical ballets and contemporary work at a semi-professional level.  The da Dance Company complements the formal training received by the students, honing their skills and artistry. 

‘Coppelia’ is a charming, classical ballet rife with humour and ballet mime. The ballet is based on a story by E.T.A. Hoffmann entitled ‘Der Sandmann’ (The Sandman), which was published in 1815.

The delightful tale presents a budding romance between two villagers, Frantz and Swanilda, alongside the curious workings of their eccentric neighbour Dr Coppélius, a mad inventor who has taken to creating life-like automatons. Infatuated at the sight of the inventor's new doll, Frantz sneaks into Dr Coppélius' workshop, and mayhem ensues. 

The main characters are to be played by Majbritt Kristensen (Sawnnilda), Dorian Mallia (Franz), Luke Cucciardi (Dr. Coppelius),  Daniela Blake, Catriona Cassar, Petra Camilleri and MarieClaire Formosa (Friends).   Supporting the da Dance Company are the vocational students of Dance Academy. 

 Tickets for the performance will be on sale at the door and  are available from Dance Academy in Attard.  Ticket Hotline: 99455096. Children 5 -12 years of age €10; adults €15.