Coppelia is one of the worlds best known classic ballets. The music is by Leo Delibes, the story is loosely based on "The Sandman" by E.T.A. Hoffmann, and the ballet was first choreographed over 100 years ago by Arthur Saint-Leon, ballet master of the Paris Opera.
I liked the basic story idea, but I thought that the plot didn't make sense, the characterization was thin, that other music could be considered, and finally, the dancing needed to fit the plot better. So I've reworked Coppelia, made my own version, and added spoken verse. Now the characters both dance and act their parts in what I call:
SWANELLA AND THE DOLL - A BALLET in VERSE!
(Note on the rhyming scheme: Almost all lines of text have 4 beats in this basic pattern: da DUMB da DUMB da DUMB da DUMB.
Ex.
AH, coPELLia let's TAKE a LOOK
YOU my DEAR may have STARTed OUT
a meCHANical DOLL a RObot GIRL...)
Swanella and the Doll
Characters:
Dr. Coppelius: dollmaker and inventor
Coppy (Coppelia) : The Doctor's doll masterpiece
Swanella: real girl
Franz: real boy
Professor: con man
Twins: twin friends of Swanella that act in accord
Assorted Mechanical Dolls.
ACT ONE, Scene 1
(The Doctor and his latest creation, are in his workshop.)
Dr: :
Ah Coppelia - let's take a look.
You, my dear, may have started out
a mechanical doll, a robot girl,
an automaton, like the others;
but now, if I may crow just a little,
you are the ultimate, the doll of dolls,
the height of electrical and mechanical perfection!...
Now, voila, it's time for a test
of your every special hand-crafted function.
Each nut and bolt is tightened and polished
and metamorphed from metal to skin.
You, my dear - though you yet can't hear me -
must be switched on to be activated -
and contain 3 settings, each more perfect
until the 3rd that lifts you finally
out of doll hood and into human.
Push this button and it starts you up.
This dial then turns jerky into graceful.
And dial to full... well we'll see how it works.
Perhaps the crowning of all my creations...
(DANCE #1 'The Warm up Dance'.)
Dr: :
First we start by pushing "on".
(The doll's eyes light up and all her body jerks to activation)
Then warm you up with a few commands:
Turn head all about... (note: these 3 lines have 2 beats)
Move arms up and down...
Walk forward, then around...
Oil is flowing, electrons fired.
She's a beauty and well wired!
(He laughs with glee)
Now I turn the dial . Slowly... Slowly...
Coppy, repeat - but this time graceful...
(She repeats movements, but much more gracefully.)
Rest my dear - so far so well.
Even to here, you're better than your sisters
gathering dust in those closets and storerooms.
But now to test your special skills,
Level 3, dial on full.
Now you'll respond to others as if real.
I've given you the ability to listen then react
in one of two major moods:
as a mad woman full of scorn,
or an angel of love adoring your beau.
But we need some one to test you on.
(Dr. goes to balcony window and scans the horizon.)
Coppy, this is perfect. Here comes Swanella.
I command you be petulant and see if she's fooled.
(Dr. leads Coppy to balcony and then hides behind the curtain to watch)
Swanella:
(Dances in merrily and full of fun. She notices Coppy on the balcony.)
Ah Dr Coppelius' niece must be visiting
from Baden, Baden or Pango, Pango (laughs)
I'll say hello and introduce myself.
Strangers can always use new friends.
(She dances over to balcony and addresses Coppy.)
Hello, and hi there, and how are you?
(DANCE #2 The Surly Dance. Coppy acts haughty and rebuffs Swanella in a surly and self absorbed way.)
Haughty little girl. Strange like her Uncle.
Who does she think she is? The nerve!
Phooey on her. She'll not spoil my day.
(Swanella begins to exit but sees Franz approaching. She runs back and hides behind some bushes next to the doctor's house.)
Ah here comes Franz - my favorite beau.
I'll hide from him - jump out and tease him. (She giggles)
Dr:
Well done Coppy. Now rest a bit.
(He goes to balcony again.)
Swanella was fooled, but where did she go?
Oh well. Here comes Franz, the neighbor boy.
Let's try your flip mood - alluring charm.
(DANCE #3: The Flirty Dance. As the Dr. hides again, Coppy begins to flirt with Franz. He notices Coppy; stops; is flattered, and a little smitten; and begins to flirt back. He dances about and picks up a bouquet of daisies from the Doctor's garden. In his hurry, one falls out of his hands. He gives the rest to Coppy, who accepts them willingly.)
Swanella:
He's making a fool out of himself for that girl.
He doesn't even see what a two-face she is.
Dr: (chuckling)
Come back inside. He's completely fooled.
(Coppy goes inside.)
Franz:
I must tell Swanella about the new girl.
She'll want to meet her. She seems so friendly.
(He exits)
Swanella: (Coming out of hiding)
I'm going to smack that brazen boy stealer
and give her a piece or two of my mind.
(As Coppy comes away from the balcony she begins to run down. She drops the flowers, and collapses, as if completely out of energy.)
Dr:
Oh dear! Oh dear! I was afraid of that.
After all just a doll! Where's the oil can? (He oils her joints)
What can I do that I haven't done? (He ponders.)
The only thing left is that persistent professor,
that traveling peddler of his grainy elixir
that says his powder will undoubtedly fix her.
I'll call him up and buy his dust.
I've nothing to loose except my hope...
He swears it'll work under any conditions.
We'll see, we'll see, we'll see, we'll see.
(He takes Coppy inside.)
Swanella:
that Franz is a fickle boy.
I wonder who he truely loves.
Is it any pretty face,
Or is it mine that he prefers?
(DANCE #4 the Daisy Dance. Swanella picks up the fallen daisy and as she dances, does the 'he loves me','he loves me not' game, dropping petals along the way. But before she finishes there is a commotion at the Doctor's door. He is rushing out, checking his watch, looking at a map, checking for a bag of money, muttering "I'm late', looking for his door key - all the while Coppy is following him as if she's going, too. He sees her and walks her inside. She comes out before him. He locks the door, thinking she's inside - turns and finds her there outside. He is startled. Then he takes her back in. Each time he has to unlock the door. The 2nd time she leans out the window. He locks the door - with the key still there - goes to the window to push her back inside, then leaves, forgetting to get the key. Swanella, who has stopped dancing - we never know if Franz loves her or loves her not - watches them and notes Coppy's strange mechanical behavior.)
Swanella:
Well that's not quite right. Something's screwy here.
(She goes and surreptitiously gets the key.)
(Dance #5 Two Peas in a Pod Dance. The Twins enter dancing in unison and take some carefree turns and spins. Then they spot Swanella, sneaking out with the key. Swanella sees them and is startled.)
Swanella:
Oh it's just you, Karen and Carol.
(aside) It's the twins. Hello and hell-o!
I've got some news. See that house?
(Swanella whispers into one twins ear. The other twin somehow hears all at the same time. While she is whispering, Swanella acts out what has happened including the balcony scene, how Coppy reacted to her, Franz's encounter, and the strange goings on with the Doctor leaving and Coppy trying to follow.)
Swanella:
Are you two willing to venture inside?
Twins (gleefully)
Yes! Yes! Fun! And mad-cappy!
(Dance #6 The Threesome Dance. Swanella and the twins dance about innocently as they watch to make sure the coast is clear so they can sneak into the doctors house without getting caught. They do so with most of the moves all in unison, or all in a row with the twins following behind Swanella. They finally open the door and are about to enter. Just then Franz, who has returned sees them, hides behind the bush, watches them enter, then follows as the curtain falls.)
ACT ONE, Scene two.
(The con man known as the Professor is pacing a dark corner of town. He is nervous and edgy.)
Professor:
A rube who'll pay top dollar for dirt
to activate his automaton.
Foolish as this needs to be plucked
and I of cheats am the chosen one.
(He picks up dirt from the ground, puts it in a bottle, and corks it)
I hope this pigeon hurries up.
It's not safe to stay in this town.
I want to leave and leave I must
before this dust hits the ground.
(Dr. enters with map - a little lost and confused. Professor sees him and obsequiously asks)
Professor:
Is this the celebrated Dr. Coppelius deigning to allow me his precious time?
Dr:
And you must be the visiting
Viennese specialist in animation.
(They shake hands but Dr. finds bottle in the Professor's right hand gets in the way. And they both laugh.)
Professor:(pointing to bottle)
This is the rare and scarce elements
unknown to all but us handful
that know our retorts, ethers, and salts.
Dr: (examines it)
And is it guaranteed good, Mein Herr?
Professor:
Guaranteed for 'life'! (they both laugh.) I joke.
It's a lot of money to spend for sure
but for Coppy's well tuning, I'd pay even more.
(They exchange the bottle for a bag of money)
Professor:
Now I'm off to the lecture circuit
Traveling from lab to university...
Dr:
But where can I reach you if I need a refill?
Professor:
The address on the bottle - will not fail...
(Dr. exits.)
Will not fail - not to be real!
ACT TWO, Scene three
(Dr. Coppelius' workshop. Swanella and twins enter and begin to explore. At a table, slighly hidden is Coppy completely silent, hand under chin. When they discover her they are at first frightened because she is so still and unmovable. Then Swanella approaches her)
Swanella:
Are you OK?
(She taps Coppy on the back which turns her mechanisms on, and starts her going through the warm up process.)
Swanella:
She's a doll, a mechanical girl!
Franz (aside)
She's a doll, a mechanical girl.
(Twins explore the two rooms and Swanella the closets. They find other dolls and start them all going.)
Twins:
They're all dolls, just wind up toys!
(DANCE #7 Doll Dance. All the dolls begin to dance in a mechanical manner. At first its all confusion, but gradually they all dance in sync. Then back to confusion. The 3 girls dance among them, mimicing their movements. But soon it all gets out of hand. It's utter confusion and dolls are beginning to run into each other, the walls, and the furniture.)
Franz: (who is enjoying the spectacle, hears the Dr. returning)
Dr Coppelius! The plot thickens!
(He hides behind the door. The Dr. comes in, sees his key in the door, the mess inside, and gets mad.)
Dr.:
What's going on here? (He sees the twins.) Bad girls!
(And chases them out. Swanella hides behind Coppy. The Dr. Shuts off all the dolls and puts them back. Then he goes to close the front door and just barely misses discovering Franz hiding there. He wipes his brow, settles down a bit, and pulls out the bottle of magic dust. Swanella sees that her only chance for escape is to dress up like one of the dolls. She begins to transform herself into a doll with the doll clothes and makeup nearby. Swanella also watches as the Dr. takes Coppy through the warm up movements. Then he opens the bottle, puts some dust on his palm and begins to blow the dust on Coppy. As he does so, Swanella blows the dust at him, which temporarily blinds him. Then while he recovers she quickly takes some dust, covers herself, moves Coppy back out of the way, and takes the doll's place with the same pose. Dr. finishes up cleaning his glasses.)
Dr.: (coughing and recovering)
Now let's see how magic, magic is.
(He tests her movements: head, arms, and walk)
My, my, my...
So real... so round ... and so ... so robust!
Coppy, transform to your surly mode.
(DANCE #8 Magic Dust Dance. ) Swanella - as Coppy - begins to dance about. As she does so she bumps into the Dr., then nudges him, then smacks him, then breaks a vase, and throws a plate at him. Then she kicks him. Etc.)
Dr.
Not that vase that grandmother gave me!
Stop Coppy! Stop! Ow! Ow!
(Getting out of the way of her kicks)
That magic dust must have clogged your circuits.
A little too much reality. This stuff works too good.
(She settles down. He recovers.)
Coppy , the other mood, all smiles and fondness.
Now, sweet as honey, you feel only love.
This ought to be good. Too much is just right!
(Swanella sees Franz and that breaks the play acting. She yells out his name and begins to chase him.)
Swanella:
Franz, Franz, my favorite boy.
These are just dolls but your Swanella is real.
(She turns on 2 dolls to show him.)
Come give me a kiss and I'll kiss back.
Franz:
You're bewitched. You're a machine.
I saw that Doctor throw a spell on you
and use magic dust to make you seem real.
Swanella's a robot - full of black magic.
Keep away from me. Help! Help!
I'm being attacked by a ... wind up!
(Swanella chases Franz around the workshop and out the door. The Dr runs to the door.)
Dr.:
Coppy come here and stop this foolishness.
Come here this instant....
(As he searches for her outside, the 'real' Coppy comes from where Swanella stuck her, walks up behind the Dr., and tugs on his coat. He jumps. He's startled and bewildered.)
Dr.:
Oh there you are!?! ...
(Then he takes a rag from his pocket.)
First this dust is coming off,
if I have to bathe every part.
And that's the last of this wicked powder.
(He throws the bottle out the window).
You were fine the way you were.
(Regaining his composure, he begins to relax).
Come my dear Coppy. I'll teach you to dance -
teach you to dance with another in your arms.
(DANCE #9 "The Inventor And His Doll" Dance. Dr. And Coppy do a slow graceful dance of love. They dance together, then each has a turn by themselves, then they dance together again.... Then out of nowhere , a frightened Franz runs by the window as Swanella chases after.)
Swanella:
But I'm real!
Franz:
No you're bewitched.
Swanella:
It's not real magic.
Franz:
But I saw with my own eyes.
Stop chasing me, you mechanical thing
Swanella:
Grrrrrrr!
(All through this chase, Dr. And Coppy are oblivious to the interruption - he because he is smitten with his creation, and she because she's still a mechanical doll. Curtain)
THE END.
If you enjoyed this issue, see the Musea Dance issue #128.
Musea is:
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tomhendricks474@cs.com
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