Watching Cape Town City Ballet’s former principal dancer Daniel Rajna (pictured left) rehearse for his début as Dr Coppelius in the company’s upcoming production of Coppélia makes one realise that he has an enviable gift for physical theatre, says BEVERLEY BROMMERT:
In a robust exchange with CTCB Principal Leusson Muniz, who will dance the young hero Franz, it becomes apparent that Rajna’s humour and energy make him an ideal choice for a character part such as this.
Chatting about this departure from the roles that made him famous at the turn of this century, Rajna grins, “I danced Franz 25 years ago, at the Sun City Super Bowl, and here I am on début as Coppelius! It’s not like doing Siegfried, and it certainly helps taking on a role like this if you’re feeling your age as I am – it comes more naturally …”
As he is well on the right side of 60, he can hardly claim to be a senior citizen just yet, and his combination of stamina and wit are likely to result in a convincing portrayal of the doll-maker Coppelius. Particularly as on official retirement from a highly successful career in ballet in 2007, he studied for four years to become (not unlike Coppelius) an engineer. Technology lends itself to more than one form of creativity, from devising a life-like mechanical doll, to specialising in dam-construction, which is the domain of Rajna’s current expertise.
Thus Coppelius’s persona resonates with this dancer, who comments that “ballet and engineering are not after all so dissimilar; both require team work and discipline for success, although I do keep them separate now that I am gradually returning to work in ballet as well as continuing in the civil engineering consultancy I joined”.
His love for the world of dance has never left him, and at present he coaches and choreographs ballet while pursuing his alternative career in dam technology; some of his works are performed by professional ensembles, and some are for use in training or dance academies.
Joyful escape
Back on the subject of Coppelius, he gives a well-considered opinion of the character: “He may be eccentric, with comic moments, but he is far from being an idiot or a clown. He is a genius: elderly, unpopular, and understandably cranky given his circumstances. Being childless, he regards his mechanical doll as his offspring as he has given it life, and I think it is important to convey his intense engagement with his creation. When it is destroyed, he is devastated – so I will try to tell his story as best I can, restoring his dignity and NOT portraying him as grotesque, however comical he may appear at times.”
The brio and eloquent body-language of his performance in rehearsal suggests Rajna has found the right balance between compassion and fun in his reading of one of classical ballet’s familiar, and often misunderstood, personae.
As he and his partner of long standing, Tracy Li, reconnect in this production which she directs as CTCB’s Artistic Manager, the magic they have always generated on stage resurfaces in different but rewarding guise.
While Daniel Rajna is portraying Dr Coppelius at every performance, each cast promises a unique interpretation of this enchanting ballet, offering audiences a joyful escape into a world where love, laughter and a little cleverness save the day.
What: Coppélia
Where and when: Artscape on Friday 17 October at 7pm (Ward/Muniz) and on Saturday 18 October at 2pm (Blair / Roelfze) and at 7pm (Ward/Green)
Tickets: Webtickets and Artscape Dial-A-Seat on 0214217695
WS
