Erina Takahashi
Giselle
Mary Skeaping's
Giselle
National Tour
2 hours 15 minutes Including one interval
This production is recommended for ages 8+
A celebrated production of one of the greatest Romantic ballets
Giselle is a haunting story of innocence and betrayal – a timeless tale about the redemptive power of love.
Following five-star reviews in January 2024, Mary Skeaping’s Giselle ballet returns with performances in Manchester, Liverpool and London.
A young peasant girl, Giselle, is in love with Albrecht, a Duke who hides his title and his engagement to another. When Giselle discovers he has deceived her, she is driven to madness, and dies of a broken heart. Late at night, the Wilis gather by her grave, ready to welcome her into their fold as the vengeful spirits of betrayed brides, who force men to dance to their death. Will Giselle’s love protect Albrecht from his fate?
From the sunny optimism of Giselle’s idyllic village life to a moonlit world of mystery and menace, Mary Skeaping’s enthralling production features some of ballet’s most dramatic scenes and otherworldly images.
Adolphe Adam’s lush score, performed live by English National Ballet Philharmonic, sets the scene for an atmospheric and ultimately heartbreaking performance.
Packed with lively detail and terrific suspense.★★★★★ The Arts Desk
Bewitching… makes the 21st century fall beautifully and blissfully away.★★★★ The Daily Telegraph
Become a Friend of English National Ballet to enjoy discounts on Giselle tickets (T&Cs apply).
Main video: English National Ballet dancers in Mary Skeaping’s Giselle.
Main image: Alison McWhinney. Photo © Jason Bell. Art Direction and Design: Charlotte Wilkinson Studio.
Dates & venues
Credits
Festive Season Partner
Explore
Giselle Ballet Synopsis
Act I: a pleasant valley in Germany
It is the vintage festival, when the villagers gather to drink the new wine. Today, the celebration will be at the cottage of Giselle, a beautiful and innocent peasant girl.
Giselle has fallen in love with Albrecht, Duke of Silesia, who, disguised as a peasant, courts her. Hilarion, a gamekeeper who is in love with Giselle, suspects the true identity of his rival, and soon finds out that Albrecht is not the peasant he claims to be.
Villagers return from the fields to celebrate the grape harvest and join in a dance with Giselle and Albrecht. Giselle’s Mother, Berthe, is worried that Giselle’s passion for dancing may be the death of her delicate daughter, who will then fall under the spell of the Wilis, vengeful spirits of virgin-brides who have been abandoned before their wedding night.
Giselle is amused at her mother’s concern, and continues dancing with her friends, until she is finally crowned Queen of the Vine.
The Prince of Courland and his hunting party stop at the village to taste the wine. One of this party, the Prince’s daughter, Bathilde, is engaged to Duke Albrecht. Hilarion takes this opportunity to reveal the truth about Albrecht’s identity.
Giselle, destroyed by grief at Albrecht’s duplicity, loses her mind and dies.
Act II: a forest on the banks of a lake
This is the supernatural world of the Wilis. Attired in their bridal dresses, they dance in the moonlight and lure young men to dance until they fall dead of exhaustion.
Separately, Hilarion and Albrecht visit Giselle’s grave, mourning her tragic death. Hilarion is caught by the vengeful spirits and Myrtha, Queen of the Wilis, condemns him to dance until he dies. Albrecht faces a similar fate, but Giselle’s love and forgiveness protect him through the night.
The Queen of the Wilis tries to get Albrecht away from the cross on Giselle’s grave which is helping to protect him, but her magic Myrtle branch breaks. She makes a desperate effort to maintain her control by commanding the Wilis to attack the cross, but its power is too great.
She commands Giselle to come away from the cross, knowing Albrecht will follow her. However, as dawn breaks over the forest Queen Myrtha loses her power and the Wilis are forced back into their graves.
After a final farewell, Giselle and Albrecht are parted forever.
MEET THE PRINCIPAL CAST
Please note that casting is subject to change
CREATIVE TEAM
Mary Skeaping
Production and Choreography, after Jean Coralli, Jules Perrot and Marius Petipa
Adolphe Adam
Music
David Walker
Design
Charles Bristow recreated by David Mohr
Lighting
Irmgard Elisabeth Berry
Artistic Advisor
Reviews
“Dramatic and heartbreaking”
The Times
Discounts
London Coliseum Discounts
Only one discount per ticket. Subject to availability. Available from the London Coliseum website or Box Office ONLY.
- Friends of English National Ballet
Friends receive priority booking and 20% off Stalls, Dress and Upper Circle, 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 only children over 5 are allowed in the auditorium at the London Coliseum.
Age guidance for Giselle is 8+, due to content and duration. - Multibuy
Book for English National Ballet’s Nutcracker and Giselle ballet at the London Coliseum at the same time and save 15% (not valid on top two price tickets, or in conjunction with any other offer or concessions). - Schools matinee
Friday 17 January, 2.30pm
£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
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.