A Sneak Peek at Ballet Philippines’ 54th Season

Last June 26, we were among the privileged few invited for an exclusive preview of  Ballet Philippines’ 54th season. Let me tell you; there are few things in life that trump starting the week watching ballet. Truly, what a wonderful way to welcome audiences once again to a new home—the Theatre at Solaire—and one cannot expect anything less from the leading classical and contemporary dance company in the country.

The power and joy of dance

Opening its 54th season with a celebration, Ballet Philippines brings to life a full-length ballet performance of the whimsical classic Coppélia. Based on a lighthearted, captivating short story by E.T.A. Hoffman, the comic ballet tells the tale of young lovers who are on a mission to end the evil ways of a mad scientist and his mysterious daughter. The story, joyfully told, invites audiences to reflect on the value of looking beyond surface beauty and embracing all the perfect imperfections, within ourselves and in others, and ultimately realizing that love transcends all. 

Harking back to its season theme of The Power of Dance, Ballet Philippines calls on all to take a journey of self-discovery with Coppélia. This season’s restaging, masterfully put together by Ballet Philippines Artistic Director Mikhail “Misha” Martynyuk, inspires introspection into relevant themes such as mental health and self-love. The ballet, of course, remains still lighthearted and bright—making it a truly splendid show for the entire family to enjoy.

That said, going beyond simply being a wonderful staging of a beloved classic, this production also promises to showcase Ballet Philippines’ incredible technique and the power that dance truly yields in bringing tales as old as time to young, modern audiences. Martynyuk shares that, when it comes down to it, it’s all about dance force—how technique, style, and character shows one’s  artistic side.

Step into a whimsical world

The company’s Coppélia promises to be a heartwarming performance, with the classic ballet holding a special place in Martynyuk’s heart. “Coppélia is all about festivity and brightness. It symbolizes the celebration of a new season,” he shares. “It was also my very first performance as a dancer. I performed the lead role. I am very well-versed with the music, the libretto, and the technique. After my premiere, I got 24 invitations to dance Coppélia in Spain. With that, I think I brought all my learnings from my teachers, and I want to share it with my dancers [in the Philippines].” 

He shares that his interpretation of Coppélia draws its inspiration from the 1884 St. Petersburg production staged by iconic choreographer Marius Petipa. However, Martynyuk has choreographed the ballet with the intention of showcasing the strength and power of the company’s dancers—making it truly a showcase of the marvelous talents that Ballet Philippines nurtures to the highest standard of excellence.

“Ballet will always be developed,” Martynyuk says. “I adapted my version from the original and added several Filipino elements. It is developed with more technique, more style, and [more] characters.” What does he hope audiences take away from experiencing Ballet Philippines’ Coppélia? That one must celebrate life for everything that it is—beautiful, mad, joyful, lonely, and all around filled with lessons.

So, we’ll be seeing you at the ballet? Book your tickets now for Ballet Philippines’ Coppélia which runs from August 4 to 6, 2023 at The Theater at Solaire. For tickets, log on to www.ballet.ph or www.ticketworld.com.ph. In case you’re interested in watching all three productions, consider purchasing your tickets through Ballet Philippines’ subscription form and choose the shows and the seats with ease.

For updates, behind-the-scenes coverage, and special sneak previews of this much-awaited performance will be posted on Ballet Philippines’ social media accounts. Follow them on Instagram (@balletphilippines), Facebook (@balletphilippines), and Tiktok (@balletph).

Lead photos courtesy of Ballet Philippines