Giselle at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley
Giselle
Churchill Theatre, Bromley
15-16 August 2014
Reviewed by Emma Rogers
The English Youth Ballet’s production of the 1841 ballet Giselle, incorporates over 100 dancers from the local dance schools with several principal dancers. The story was originally performed by the Paris Opera, but has been adapted by the EYB with extra music from other ballets.
The story centres around Giselle, a governess to a wealthy family, and her admirer, army officer Albert, who is engaged to Lady Bathilde. Albert disguises himself as a servant to sneak into the house where Giselle works but her weak heart prevents her from dancing as much as she wants to. The gamekeeper is suspicious and discovers Albert’s identity and realises that Albert is engaged to someone else. He tries to warn Giselle, but ends up outing Albert during the hunt. Giselle becomes mad with grief and dies due to her weak heart.
The enormous cast perfectly portray the sentiment of the ballet with some breath-taking dancing and an added spice of humour with some of the much younger cast. There wasn’t a toe out of place amongst any of them, and it’s obvious that they all loved dancing and had put in a huge amount of work for the production. Special praise goes to Emma Lister who plays Giselle and Amy Drew who plays Queen of the Wilis.
The end of the second act brings together all of the dancers which makes for spectacular scenes. The costumes, especially as there are so many of them, are excellent certainly add to the production.
The ballet is worth going to see for its ease of watching and gentle storyline. You forget that someone dies due to the quality of the production and instead become wrapped up in the beautifully choreographed dancing.
Rating: 4.5/5
Tickets cost from £18.90 to £24.90 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).
English Youth Ballet’s performance of Giselle is at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley until Saturday 16 August 2014. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 08448 717 620.
Churchill Theatre, High Street, Bromley, BR1 1HA | 08448 717 620
