English National Ballet announces principal casting for Giselle

English National Ballet announces principal casting for Giselle

In its 75th Season, English National Ballet offers audiences the opportunity to see two versions of one of the great Romantic ballets, Giselle. Principal casting for both productions has been announced.  

Having been seen by over 156,000 people in 11 countries and 17 cities around the world, Akram Khan’s Giselle opens English National Ballet’s season with a return to London (Sadler’s Wells) for the first time since 2019. In this acclaimed reimagining of the iconic ballet, Khan tells a story of love, betrayal, and redemption. The production features an imposing set designed by Academy Award-winner Tim Yip and a powerful score by Vincenzo Lamagna.  

Principal casting for these performances sees debuts from Soloist Francesca Velicu in the role of Giselle; Soloist Rentaro Nakaaki in the role of Albrecht; First Artist Giorgio Garrett and Artist of the Company Jose María Lorca Menchón in the role of Hilarion; and Lead Principal Sangeun Lee and Junior Soloist Alice Bellini in the role of Myrtha.  

Mary Skeaping’s Giselle will tour to the Liverpool Empire and Manchester’s Palace Theatre in the autumn, before returning to the London Coliseum in January 2025. With its beautiful classical language and thoughtful staging, this Giselle features some of ballet’s most dramatic scenes and otherworldly images. 

First Soloist Ivana Bueno will make her debut in the role of Giselle in Liverpool whilst First Soloist Lorenzo Trossello makes his debut as Albrecht in London. Also making debuts during this tour are First Soloist Julia Conway, First Artist Eireen Evrard and Junior Soloist Anna Nevzorova, who will perform as Myrtha for the first time.  

Full Principal Casting:

Akram Khan’s Giselle  
(Giselle / Albrecht / Hilarion / Myrtha)  

Sadler’s Wells, London: 

Erina Takahashi / James Streeter / Ken Saruhashi / Emma Hawes  
18th September 19:30, 21st September 19:30, 24th September 19:30  

Fernanda Oliveira / Aitor Arrieta / Erik Woolhouse / Sangeun Lee*  
19th September 19:30, 23rd September 19:30, 26th September 19:30  

Emily Suzuki / Henry Dowden / TBA / Isabelle Brouwers  
20th September 19:30, 25th September 19:30, 28th September 19:30  

Francesca Velicu* / Rentaro Nakaaki* / Jose María Lorca Menchón* / Angela Wood  
21st September 14:30, 27th September 19:30  

TBA / TBA / Giorgio Garrett* / Alice Bellini*
26th September 14:30, 28th September 14:30 

Giselle by Mary Skeaping
(Giselle / Albrecht / Hilarion / Myrtha / Peasant Pas de Deux)  

Liverpool Empire: 

Katja Khaniukova / Aitor Arrieta / Fabian Reimair / Precious Adams / Adriana Lizardi / Miguel Angel Maidana  
23rd October 19:30, 25th October 19:30

Shiori Kase / Ken Saruhashi / Erik Woolhouse / Emily Suzuki / Chloe Keneally / Noam Durand  
24th October 19:30 / 26th October 19:30  

Ivana Bueno* / Daniel McCormick / Giorgio Garrett / Jung ah Choi / Haruhi Otani* / Edvinas Jakonis*  
26th October 14:30  

Palace Theatre, Manchester:  

Fernanda Oliveira / Francesco Gabriele Frola / Henry Dowden / Julia Conway* / Ivana Bueno / Erik Woolhouse*  
30th October 19:30, 1st November 19:30  

Emma Hawes / Vsevolod Maievskyi / James Streeter / Angela Wood / Francesca Velicu / Shunhei Fuchiyama  
31st October 19:30, 2nd November 14:30  

Sangeun Lee / Gareth Haw / Junor Souza / Eireen Evrard* / Haruhi Otani / Edvinas Jakonis  
2nd November 19:30  

London Coliseum:
Erina Takahashi / Francesco Gabriele Frola / James Streeter / Precious Adams / Ivana Bueno / Erik Woolhouse  
15th January 19:30, 18th January 19:30  

Katja Khaniukova / Aitor Arrieta / Fabian Reimair / Emily Suzuki / Adriana Lizardi / Miguel Angel Maidana  
16th January 19:30, 18th January 14:30  

Fernanda Oliveira / Lorenzo Trossello* / Henry Dowden / Anna Nevzorova* / Chloe Keneally / Noam Durand  
17th January 14:30  

Sangeun Lee / Gareth Haw / Junor Souza / Angela Wood / Francesca Velicu / Shunhei Fuchiyama  
17th January 19:30 

*Debut 

Please note casting is subject to change, see www.ballet.org.uk for up-to-date casting.