Ruth Leon recommends… Akram Khan’s Giselle

Akram Khan’s Giselle

I notice that the English National Ballet is re-mounting Akram Khan’s version of Giselle in London 18-28 September at Sadlers Wells.  If you can’t get to the Sadlers Wells Theatre, or even if you can, you might enjoy watching it online on this tv subscription video, sensitively directed by former ballet dancer Ross MacGibbon.

In 2018 Akram Khan, the renowned contemporary choreographer, took the greatest of all romantic ballets and put his own stamp on this story of love, betrayal and redemption with Tamara Rojo as Giselle, James Streeter as Albrecht and Jeffrey Cirio as Hilarion.

Hailed as a modern masterpiece, this stunning version by the English National Ballet includes sets and costumes by designer Tim Yip, and an adaptation of Adolphe Adam’s original score created by composer Vincenzo Lamagna. Lighting, a big part of this production, is by Mark Henderson.

Interestingly, the English National Ballet is planning a UK tour in October with performances in Manchester, Liverpool and London, which will include this Giselle and also the traditional version by Mary Skeaping so that ballet audiences, especially those less familiar with this most famous of dance dramas, can compare the two.

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