Why experience Akram Khan's Giselle

Returning to the renowned London Coliseum, Akram Khan's Giselle stands as a revolutionary piece in the world of contemporary ballet. Marking its milestone 10th anniversary in 2026, this production is considered a defining masterpiece of modern dance. Hailed by critics and audiences alike, it uniquely blends traditional ballet vocabulary with powerful elements of South Asian dance and storytelling, delivering a raw and emotional interpretation.

Innovative choreography and story

Khan’s reinterpretation transports the classic narrative of Giselle into a dystopian world of divided classes and migrant workers. The heroine, Giselle, becomes a symbol of those outcast by society — betrayed by those she trusted and further marginalized by systemic injustice. Khan’s distinctive choreography, recognized for its dramatic physicality and unique movement language, brings the characters’ turmoil and passion to vivid life, offering audiences an electrifying and unforgettable evening.

Visual and musical artistry

The visual landscape of this production is crafted by Oscar-winning designer Tim Yip, whose towering set pieces and evocative costumes, coupled with Mark Henderson’s atmospheric lighting, plunge the audience into a ghostly, factory-inspired world. Each scene is charged with mood and drama, echoing the emotional journey of the characters through every detail on stage.

Musically, the score has been radically reimagined by Vincenzo Lamagna, adapting Adolphe Adam’s original music into something haunting and visceral. The English National Ballet Philharmonic performs the score live, enhancing every moment with resonant, pulsing sound that envelops the audience in the emotional landscape of the story. The combination of live music and dance performance ensures a session that’s as moving sonically as it is visually.

Celebrated cast and creative team

• Emily Suzuki captivates as Giselle, joined by James Streeter (Albrecht), Ken Saruhashi (Hilarion), and Emma Hawes (Myrtha)

• Direction and choreography by Akram Khan, lauded for his groundbreaking fusion of styles

• Powerful production by the English National Ballet

The collective expertise and artistry of the cast and crew ensure that each performance delivers on the promise of emotional depth, technical excellence and narrative impact.

The story and its relevance

Set against a backdrop of hardship and inequality, Giselle’s story becomes a powerful allegory for contemporary social issues. After a devastating betrayal and rejection, Giselle’s spirit finds itself compelled to return, guided by the ghostly Wilis, to confront both her betrayer and a world that failed her. Khan’s adaptation is unflinching — exploring grief, anger, and, ultimately, the triumph of resilience and love in oppressive circumstances. Through expressive movement and striking visuals, the production turns a traditional ballet into a bold tale for our times.

This production delivers not only an artistic spectacle but also a thoughtful commentary on social divisions, power and human determination, making it relevant and resonant for today’s audiences.

Unforgettable experience

With its pioneering choreography, atmospheric set design and emotionally charged music, Akram Khan’s Giselle is more than a night at the ballet — it is a compelling, cathartic and deeply memorable journey.

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