Akram Khan's Giselle

Akram Khan’s Giselle is a dark, thrilling rework of the beloved ballet classic that is part ghost story, part social commentary. An internationally acclaimed English National Ballet production that stunned audiences from London to New York, winning the South Bank Sky Arts Award and earning praise for its arresting choreography and emotional intensity, this production blends classical ballet with kathak and modern movement, offering a fresh take on a beloved work. Featuring the striking designs of Oscar-winning Tim Yip and a raw, cinematic score by Vincenzo Lamagna, Giselle becomes more than a ballet — it’s a dramatic and genre-defying dance theater experience. For anyone drawn to dance that tells urgent, human stories with power and beauty, this is a rare and essential watch.

The story

Set in a dystopian world of migrant workers and divided classes, Giselle is a woman betrayed by the man she trusted and left behind by a system that sees her as disposable. Even death does not free her from these societal grievances, and the scorned Giselle finds herself returning, guided by the ghostly Wilis, to confront the man who wronged her and the forces that failed her. A heartbreaking and haunting narrative, this ballet is underscored by powerful themes of vengeance and, ultimately, the choices we're left with in an unjust world. This Giselle pulses with anger, grief, and tenderness, transforming the traditional ballet into a modern fable of power, resilience, and love beyond death.