English Youth Ballet - Giselle
From 7:30PM, Friday, June 13, 2025 to 7:30PM, Saturday, June 14, 2025
Venue: Darlington Hippodrome
English Youth Ballet (EYB) presents a hauntingly beautiful production of GISELLE that promises romance, betrayal and revenge. The story is set in the Edwardian era on an English country estate and has a Downton Abbey flavour. The young governess - Giselle falls in love with the aristocratic Albert who betrays her. She dies of a broken heart. Giselle’s ghost chooses to protect Albert as he visits her leafy graveside. In the forest live the macabre Wili Spirits - the ghosts of other young women who rise from the grave each night. They will stop at nothing to take their revenge on the menfolk of the town who cross their paths. The inventive choreography is faithful to the well-loved original version and was created by Janet Lewis MBE – EYB’s Artistic Director – and her team. The classic stage designs were created by Keith Bish. The evocative musical score was composed especially for the ballet, in 1841, by the great master Adolphe Adam. An extra section of music by Adam, that is rarely heard, has been added for the Hunt Scene. In this section the exquisite music can be likened to the sound of galloping horses. Now in its 27th phenomenal year, EYB has gained in popularity and has established a formidable reputation for classic and dramatic productions of the famous full-length classical ballets. The stunning professional dancers previously danced with the English National Ballet, Vienna Festival Ballet and Ballet Cymru. The award-winning company gives young dancers throughout the UK a wonderful performance opportunity to dance alongside the principals in solo and corps de ballet roles. EYB promises an emotional and dramatic evening at the ballet. “Talented young dancers supported by some of the world’s finest principal dancers” SUNDAY EXPRESS