Theatre
Giselle, one of the greatest romantic ballets, has landed in Manchester and it’s a must-see
Hauntingly beautiful and romantic.
Eva Claricoates -
31st October 2024 
When the English National Ballet is in Manchester, it’s an opportunity you shouldn’t let slip by, and is almost guaranteed to be one of the most stunning performances to grace the stage – Giselle at the Palace Theatre certainly was.
Giselle tells the story of a young peasant girl, who falls in love with Albrecht, a duke, who pretends to be a peasant in order to seduce the show’s namesake.
Albrecht is not only hiding his status but also an engagement to another. When Giselle finds out about his deception, she descends into madness and dies from a broken heart.
Giselle is summoned from the dead by spirits, the Wilis, all abandoned and betrayed before their wedding day. The Wilis take their revenge by dancing men to death, and Giselle must decide whether her love for Albrecht is too strong to sentence him to the same fate.
Giselle tells a story of grief, heartbreak, and love, and how a true heart always avails. Hauntingly beautiful and romantic, Mary Skeaping’s production had been tenderly revived from its original performance, and it’s clear to see why the performance received five-star reviews earlier this year.
The entire production was captivating and dramatic, leaving the audience gasping, laughing and firmly glued to their seats. Adolphe Adam’s score is performed live by the English National Ballet Philharmonic nestled beneath the stage, which compliments the performance beautifully and skilfully.
Perhaps the most mesmerising point of the performance was the Wilis appearing in the forest at the beginning of act two, as they formed perfectly symmetrical formations, and appeared to almost float across the stage.
It served as a great medium for exploring themes of the supernatural exquisitely, providing truly stunning imagery to the audience.
Giselle uses mime to convey its storyline to the audience, and even if you are a first-time ballet-goer, it’s an easy-to-follow, modern performance which can be enjoyed by all audiences. If you’re so inclined, you can even get involved in a dedicated ballet masterclass.
Join our Creative Learning team and English National Ballet on Saturday 2 November for an exclusive ballet masterclass at the Palace Theatre! 🩰
— Palace & Opera Mcr (@PalaceAndOpera) October 26, 2024
This workshop is suitable for ages 11-17 with a keen interest in dance ranging up to intermediate levels.
🎟️ https://t.co/A8qu0DPouX pic.twitter.com/kg78rGGOtT
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Giselle runs until the 2 November at the Palace Theatre and it’s well worth going along to if you ask us.
You can grab your tickets HERE.
It’s not the only impressive show we’ve caught at the Palace recently either.
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Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)/The Manc Group
