DDF2018 ANNOUNCEMENT! English National Ballet perform Akram Khan's GISELLE at Bord Gáis May 2018

Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in association with Dublin Dance Festival present

ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET
AKRAM KHAN’S GISELLE

★★★★★ ‘A masterpiece of 21st century dance’ Mail on Sunday
★★★★★ ‘A remarkable production performed by some of the best dancers in the world’ Manchester Evening News
★★★★★ ‘A sensational and sensuous 21st century Giselle’ The Stage
★★★★ ‘Earthbound, visceral, feral and intense, and moulded with a sculptural beauty’ The Times

BORD GÁIS ENERGY THEATRE
WED 2 – SUN 6 MAY 2018
TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY 7 JULY

Bord Gáis Energy Theatre and Dublin Dance Festival are delighted to announce what will be the dance event of 2018: following its sensational 2016 world premiere and UK tours, Akram Khan’s stunning new version of Giselle comes to the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre from Wed 2 – Sun 6 May, opening the 2018 Dublin Dance Festival which will run from 2 – 20 May.

One of the greatest romantic ballets of all time, Giselle is the first full length ballet to be choreographed by celebrated dance artist Akram Khan and will feature 40 dancers from English National Ballet. The classic story of love, betrayal and redemption has been re-imagined, with sets and costumes by Academy-Award winning designer Tim Yip (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon) and a new adaptation of Adolphe Adam’s original score by composer Vincenzo Lamagna, performed by a live orchestra.

Khan is one of the most original and exciting dance artists today. He has received multiple awards throughout his career and choreographed a section of the London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony to unanimous acclaim. His innovative style draws from contemporary dance and the ancient Indian dance form, Kathak.

Creating a contemporary version of a much-loved classic, and asking Akram Khan to explore the language of ballet and Kathak in particular, was an ambitious risk taken by English National Ballet under Artistic Director Tamara Rojo CBE, who said:

“My vision for English National Ballet has been to introduce new works that push the boundaries of ballet, for both the Company and audiences, while at the same time honouring and reinvigorating traditional works that have become so loved over the years. Ballet, and art, has the potential of interpretation and reinterpretation, and this is vital to drive our art form forward. 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 so pleased that Akram accepted this challenge, and I am incredibly proud of what he has created for the Company.”

The result has been a triumph for both the company and its choreographer, earning rave reviews and an Olivier Award nomination for Best New Dance Production. This unique version of one of ballet’s most iconic stories is not to be missed.

Akram Khan’s Giselle is co-produced by Manchester International Festival and Sadler’s Wells.

The production is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Notes to Editors:

Giselle creative team
Direction and Choreography: Akram Khan
Music: Vincenzo Lamagna, after the original score by Adolphe Adam
Visual design and costumes: Tim Yip
Lighting design: Mark Henderson
Dramaturgy: Ruth Little
Assistant Choreographer: Andrej Petrovic
Rehearsal Director: Mavin Khoo
Score Orchestration: Gavin Sutherland

http://giselle.ballet.org.uk/

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For further media information please contact:

Claire Whelan| Head of PR & Marketing at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
E: claire.whelan@bgetheatre.ie T: 01 674 2420

Event: English National Ballet | Akram Khan’s Giselle
Venue: Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Grand Canal Square, Docklands, Dublin 2
Tickets: Tickets from €20. On sale through Ticketmaster and Dublin Dance Festival on Friday 7 July 2017
Dates: Wed 2 – Sun 6 May 2018
Group Bookings: 01 677 7770
Ticketmaster dedicated line: 0818 719 377
The Circle Club and Hospitality Bookings: + 353 (01) 674 2407
www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie / www.dublindancefestival.ie

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