Akram Khan's Giselle, music by Vincenzo Lamagna after Adolphe Adam

Relive the heart-wrenching story of Giselle like never before in this choreography by the brilliant Akram Khan with the English National Ballet! Ghosts take revenge on unfaithful lovers in this haunting Romantic tapestry, a wide weft of emotions enchanced by Vincenzo Lamagna's score, with elements of rock and musique concrète to help Adolphe Adam's original opus shine with bright new colors.

Giselle (Tamara Rojo), a young peasant girl, falls madly in love with Albrecht (James Streeter), whose rival reveals that he is none other than the Duke of Silesia, already betrothed to a lady befitting his station. The grief-stricken Giselle's heart gives out—and in the afterlife she joins with the Wilis, spirits of spurned young women who force traitorous men to dance themselves to death. When Albrecht, tormented by remorse, goes to visit Giselle's tombstone, he falls victim to Myrtha (Stina Quagebeur), queen of the Wilis. Will he succumb to her devilish dance, will Giselle take pity on Albrecht and save him, or will the light of dawn interrupt the otherworldly spectacle?

Photo © Laurent Li