The last of the broadcast screenings from the Royal Ballet this 2025-26 season is the beautiful Romantic ballet GISELLE
One of the masterpieces of classical ballet, it's a haunting tale of love and betrayal, the story of young peasant girl Giselle whose life is destroyed when she discovers that her lover Albrecht is a nobleman in disguise betrothed to another. In despair she kills herself. Her spirit joins the Wilis the vengeful ghosts of betrayed young women who died before their wedding day, who kill any man in their path by dancing him to death. Albrecht wracked by guilt visits Giselle's grave and is confronted by the Wilis, and Giselle's ghost.. will he survive?
It's a captivating ballet rich in drama and depth of feeling, blending storytelling and technically demanding dance – a coveted role for dancers around the world. Akame Takada is Giselle and the amazing Steve McRae is Albrecht, nearly a year after his fantastic return to ballet following his devastating injury. The whole company display their technical brilliance. Peter Wright's hallmark production for the Royal Ballet now 40 years old stands the test of time, transporting the audience from a rich rural idyll to the menacingly moonlit graveyard for a scene of spectacular spectral beauty.
A must-see for ballet fans, and at a great day and time for ballet lovers of all ages