English National Ballet to Premiere Akram Khan's GISELLE at the Palace Theatre Manchester

One of the most highly anticipated cultural events of the year, English National Ballet presents the world premiere of Akram Khan's Giselle at the Palace Theatre, Manchester (27 Sep - 1 Oct) followed by a national tour including The Bristol Hippodrome from Tuesday 18th - Saturday 22nd October 2016.

One of the greatest romantic ballets of all time, Giselle is Akram Khan's first full length ballet and will see Academy-Award winning designer Tim Yip, known for his work on the hit film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, create the set and costumes, while composer Vincenzo Lamagna will create an adaptation of the original score, performed live by English National Ballet Philharmonic. Giselle will also see dramaturgy from Ruth Little and lighting design from Mark Henderson. English National Ballet and Akram Khan previously collaborated together on the award-winning piece Dust, part of its Lest We Forget programme.

Of Giselle, Artistic Director of English National Ballet, Tamara Rojo, said: "From the beginning of my tenure as Artistic Director I have expressed my commitment to keeping the classics relevant. When I decided I wanted to bring Giselle, one of the most traditional pieces of the classical repertoire, into the 21st Century there was only one choreographer I believe had both the knowledge of tradition and creativity necessary for this task. I am incredibly excited that Akram accepted this challenge. I believe this will be a very important step for the whole art form."

Award-winning choreographer and dancer, Akram Khan said: "I am eager to start the creation of Giselle for English National Ballet. It is a beautiful and iconic piece, and I am looking forward to bringing my own take, together with my collaborators and the wonderful English National Ballet dancers. I am still nostalgic from the experience of creating Dust, in the Lest We Forget programme, and am now even more energised to discover the world of Giselle."

Co-produced by Manchester International Festival and Sadler's Wells. Giselle is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

For more information, visit www.ballet.org.uk.

IF YOU GO:

ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET presents GISELLE

Tuesday 18th - Saturday 22nd October

Evenings at 7.30pm

Thursday Matinee at 2pm

Saturday Matinee at 2.30pm

Tickets from £13.90

Concessions available