In 1977 Peter Wright, director of the Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet, invited Helpmann to appear with the company in two of his old starring roles: the Red King in "Checkmate" and Dr Coppélius in "Coppélia". British ballet audiences had seen little of him in leading roles for some years, and his return was greeted with enthusiasm. The ballet critic of "The Times" described his Coppélius as "a legend come to life", and his "Financial Times" colleague wrote of Helpmann's "riotous and wonderful control", concluding, "British ballet owes Helpmann a vast debt – his present performances in "Coppélia" and "Checkmate" increase it still further".