After enchanting audiences across the globe for nearly a decade, Akram Khan’s reimagined version of Giselle will make its West End debut at the London Coliseum in January 2026. The performances mark the 10th anniversary of this groundbreaking production, which has toured 11 countries and 17 cities since its premiere in 2016.
Akram Khan’s revolutionary Giselle arrives at the London Coliseum in 2026, celebrating a decade of global acclaim.
This contemporary interpretation of the romantic classic blends traditional ballet with kathak and contemporary movement, creating a unique dance vocabulary that critics have praised for its “stabbing feet and grieving arms.”
The production features set design by Academy Award-winner Tim Yip and a score by Vincenzo Lamagna, performed live by the English National Ballet Philharmonic.
Performances begin on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 2:00 pm with a special welcome to school groups. An audio-described performance will take place on Saturday, January 17, at 2:30 pm, making the show accessible to wider audiences.
The production is known for its powerful imagery, including dancers pushing against a forbidding wall in a condemned factory setting, enhanced by Mark Henderson’s atmospheric lighting.
Critics have consistently praised Khan’s Giselle, with the Evening Standard calling it “a triumph,” The Stage describing it as “sensational,” and the Sunday Express labeling it “staggeringly beautiful and utterly devastating.” Many consider it a potential 21st century dance masterpiece. The show has been recognized as one of the most electrifying performances of the past decade. Audiences can also look forward to Matthew Bourne’s revival of The Car Man, which transplants Carmen’s story to a 1950s American garage diner.
Dance enthusiasts will find London rich with options during this period. The Royal Ballet presents its traditional Giselle from February 14 to March 20, 2026, while Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes runs at Sadler’s Wells from January 13 to 18. The ENB will continue its commitment to creative health initiatives that engage thousands of participants across diverse communities.
The Strictly Come Dancing Professionals will perform at the London Palladium in May 2026.
The English National Ballet’s 2025/2026 season also features works by Martha Graham and Crystal Pite, a world premiere by Kameron N. Saunders in the Body & Soul program in March 2026, and a revival of Kenneth MacMillan’s Sleeping Beauty.
Tickets for some programs will be available in autumn 2025.
