Jeffrey Cirio

Hailed as a masterpiece of 21st century dance, Akram Khan’s Giselle comes to cinemas for the first time with Artistic Director, Tamara Rojo, dancing the role of Giselle, one of a community of migrant workers cast out of their jobs in a condemned garment factory. The classic story of love, betrayal and redemption has been reimagined in this stunning new version, with sets and costumes by Academy-Award winning designer Tim Yip (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon), an ‘ominous, gothic’ (The Observer) adaptation of Adolphe Adam’s original score by composer Vincenzo Lamagna and performed by English National Ballet Philharmonic, dramaturgy from Ruth Little and lighting design from Tony Award-winner Mark Henderson. Filmed live at the Liverpool Empire in October 2017, Akram Khan’s Giselle is directed for the screen by Ross MacGibbon.

"Handsomely staged, meticulously rehearsed and vividly danced" (The Spectator), English National Ballet's production of Kenneth MacMillan's ballet features compelling characters, larger than life scenes and pas de deux ranging from romantic to heartbreaking. The ballet's haunting score, by Jules Massenet, is played live by English National Ballet Philharmonic under the baton of Gavin Sutherland.

Nora is married to Torvald. On the surface, they are a happy couple. Without telling him, a few years ago she took out a loan with Krogstad. Torvald had fallen ill, and their family needed the money so he could travel and recuperate in a better climate. Nora has been hiding this secret ever since. When this decision catches up with her (through blackmail from Krogstad), it reveals a new side to her husband. Nora sees their relationship crumble and her illusions shatter – leading to a life-changing decision.

On a remote Arctic research station, a captive creature (played by the English National Ballet’s charismatic principal dancer Jeffrey Cirio) is unwittingly enlisted into a military program that subjects him to sinister experiments. Amid this turmoil, he finds himself enamoured with a cleaner, the only person who shows him kindness; together, these two outsiders dream of escape from their dystopian surrounds.