Erina Takahashi
Giselle
Akram Khan's
Giselle
Taiwan and London
1 hour 55 minutes including one interval
Age guidance: 10+
The unforgettable masterpiece
Akram Khan’s Giselle comes to Taiwan for the first time ever in May 2025, with performances in Taipei, Kaohsiung and Taichung, before marking its tenth anniversary at the London Coliseum in 2026.
“A triumph” (Evening Standard), “sensational” (The Stage), “staggeringly beautiful and utterly devastating” (The Sunday Express) – critics have hailed Akram Khan’s Giselle as one of the most electrifying and memorable performances of the past decade.
As the curtain rises, dancers in shadow push against a forbidding wall. From that moment on, Akram Khan’s Giselle stuns with powerful images.
This bold re-imagining of the great romantic classic Giselle isn’t just something you watch: it’s something you feel – with every heartbreaking step of the story.
Giselle is part of a community of migrant workers, the Outcasts. A huge wall separates them from the factory Landlords, who have long exploited them. Her lover, Albrecht, joins Giselle’s group – but unknown to her, is in fact a Landlord himself. When the truth is revealed, Giselle’s tragic fate is sealed. She joins the Wilis – the ghosts of women who seek retribution on those who have wronged them. Can Giselle’s love save Albrecht from their vengeance?
Akram Khan’s mesmerising choreography layers the form of classical ballet with intricate nuances and details of classical Indian dance, further enriched by his own contemporary identity.
Atmospheric lighting by Mark Henderson and a towering set by Academy Award-winner Tim Yip (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) conjure up a condemned factory and the vengeful ghosts that appear in its shadows.
The ominous score by Vincenzo Lamagna, adapted from the original by Adolphe Adam, is performed live by English National Ballet Philharmonic. Layered with a rumbling soundscape, it weaves and pulsates around the theatre.
Whether seeing Giselle for the first time or making a return visit… this is an experience you won’t forget.
It may well rank as a masterpiece of 21st century danceThe Mail on Sunday
Dates & venues
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MEET THE PRINCIPAL CAST
Please note that casting is subject to change
CREATIVE TEAM
Akram Khan
Direction and Choreography
Tim Yip
Visual and Costume Design
Vincenzo Lamagna
Composition and Sound Design, after the original score by Adolphe Adam
Gavin Sutherland
Orchestration
Mark Henderson
Lighting Design
Ruth Little
Dramaturgy
Andrej Petrovic
Assistant Choreographer
Mavin Khoo
Repetiteur
Yvonne Gilbert
Sound Designer
Synopsis
Act I
Giselle is one of a community of migrant garment factory workers (the Outcasts). Dispossessed of their jobs by the factory’s closure, and separated by a high wall from their hopes of livelihood and security, the Outcasts function as little more than exotic entertainment for the factory Landlords.
In Act I, the wealthy Albrecht disguises himself as an Outcast in order to visit his lover Giselle. But his presence is noted by Hilarion – Giselle’s would-be lover – a shape-changing ‘fixer’ who trades with and mimics the Landlords for his own and his community’s profit.
Albrecht’s wooing of Giselle is interrupted by the unexpected arrival of the Landlords. Seeing his fiancée Bathilde among them, Albrecht tries to hide. Giselle recognizes the fine dress worn by Bathilde as the product of her own factory labour. The Outcasts dance for the Landlords until Albrecht and Hilarion disturb the Ceremony with their conflict.
Bathilde’s father confronts Albrecht, forcing him to return to Bathilde and to their world. When he submits and returns to Bathilde, Giselle is driven mad with grief. The Landlord gives a command, and the Outcasts encircle Giselle. When the crowd disperses, her lifeless body is revealed. Denying any responsibility, the Landlords retreat beneath the Wall.
Act II
A wrecked, abandoned ‘ghost’ factory is revealed – a place where Giselle and her female co-workers have labored, and many have died. Here Albrecht, grieving for Giselle, confronts and condemns the Landlords.
Myrtha, Queen of the Wilis (ghosts of factory workers who seek revenge for the wrongs done to them in life), enters, driving Albrecht away. She summons Giselle from her lifeless body into the realm of death, to join the company of the remorseless Wilis.
Hilarion enters to mourn at Giselle’s grave. The Wilis surround him, demanding retribution for Giselle’s death, and Hilarion is brutally killed.
Albrecht returns and becomes aware of Giselle’s presence. The lovers are reunited on the threshold between life and death. Breaking the cycle of violence – and defying Myrtha’s command – Giselle forgives Albrecht and releases him into life.
The Wilis depart with Giselle, and Albrecht, now an outcast from his own community, is left alone by the Wall.
Discounts
Discounts information for London Coliseum performances only.
Only one discount applies per ticket and all discounts are subject to availability. Available from the London Coliseum Box Office or website only.
- Friends of English National Ballet
20% off Stalls, Dress and Upper Circle, excluding the top price tickets, max. 6 tickets. Become a Friend today to receive your discount code. - Half price tickets for children under 16 years
Book up to two half price tickets for children under 16 with each full paying adult.
Please note children under 5 are not allowed in the auditorium, and the age guidance for Akram Khan’s Giselle is 10+. - Groups 10+
Save 20% per ticket. Valid Thu evening and Fri matinee. Not valid on the top two price bands. Contact the Box Office to reserve and book. - Schools matinee
Friday 16 January 2pm
£10 per pupil (in Balcony) or £15 per pupil (in Upper Circle) + 1 free teacher ticket per 10 students (plus fee) - Students / Senior Citizens / Westminster Rescard / Registered Unemployed
£5 off each ticket - Access
Audiences with access needs can join the London Coliseum Access scheme, to buy half-price tickets. - Audio described performance
There will be an audio-described performance on Saturday 17 January at 2.30pm with audio-description by VocalEyes. Visually impaired patrons can go on a Touch Tour before the performance. Your tour guide will take you backstage, or onto the stage itself, to feel costumes and pieces of the set and learn more about the production.
To book onto a free Touch Tour contact engagement@ballet.org.uk, once you have booked your ticket to the show.
Terms and Conditions
We regret that refunds cannot be given on tickets purchased, and exchange is subject to conditions and availability. English National Ballet reserves the right to make alterations to the programme, casting, dates, times, discounts and prices as necessary. Information subject to change.
Credits
Co-produced by Sadler's Wells and Manchester International Festival
Supported by the Giselle Production Syndicate
Meet the principal cast
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