IPOH: SOME 250 ballerinas from the Dance Centre, here, danced their way to raise RM100,000 during a charity show, recently.
The musical entitled “An Evening with Coppelia” was held at Kinta Riverfront Hotel, here.
Funds raised were channelled to the IpohBug Society, Perak Palliative Care Society and Sin Chew’s Newspaper in Education (NiE) project.
The enthusiastic ballerinas mesmerised about 1,800 guests.
The performance revolved around the story of Dr Coppelius, an old and lonely toy maker who spent his life developing mystical toys which come alive in his dreams.
The students performed the methodically choreographed concert, kicking off with a modern number called Fifa Fever, followed by a classical orchestra called Enchanted Garden, rock & roll, Human (modern music), La Muerte Del Angle (tango), Chandelier (jazz), Beethoven’s secret (modern orchestra), Broadway hits, Fragance of a Flower (modern Chinese) and Sleeping Beauty (classical).
The first scene opened with Dr Coppelius working late into the night and falling asleep.
He then dreamt of the dolls coming alive.
The next morning, Dr Coppelius puts Coppelia (a doll) out on the balcony and he casts a spell on a villager, Franz, to fall in love with it.
Franz’s girlfriend, Swanhilda, is jealous of her boyfriend’s sudden interest in Coppelia.
Next was a scene in Dr Coppelius’s workshop where Swanhilda was purposely dressed like Coppelia because she tried to break the spell that Dr Coppelius had cast on Franz.
The final scene shows the couple (Franz and Swanhilda) unveiling the hidden Coppelia to the villagers.
Dr Coppelius finally realised his silliness to rely on dolls for companionship.
Organising chairperson for the show, May Goh, said the concert aimed to give children a platform to showcase their talents in dancing as well as to instil an awareness of the importance of giving back to society.
“We also want to create an awareness of nurturing sustainable reading habits among the young through education as well as the importance of supporting good causes.”
She said the Chinese daily’s NiE project and the IpohBug Society, which carries out projects that build character among children, were chosen in line with those objectives.