The United Ukrainian Ballet Company presents

GISELLE

Love, betrayal, death, mercy: The United Ukrainian Ballet, comprising some sixty dancers in exile, stage one of the greatest works in the classical repertoire in a powerful new interpretation by world renowned choreographer Alexei Ratmansky.

Consisting of artists from the national theatres of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odessa and others, each member has their own story of how they reached safety to join the Company. The personal journeys of the dancers and their homeland, and the urgency of the ongoing crisis, resonate powerfully with Giselle’s timeless themes of love, betrayal, death and mercy. They unite under the roof of the prestigious London Coliseum for one week only in a new and unique interpretation of the great romantic ballet.

One of the greatest choreographers of his generation, Alexei Ratmansky, himself a Ukrainian citizen, is donating his time to join the Company for the next months to create this his new interpretation of Giselle specifically for the Company.

The sets and costumes are generously donated by Birmingham Royal Ballet and the dancers will be accompanied by the full orchestra of the English National Opera under the baton of TBC.

All profits from ticket sales will be given to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal and the United Ukrainian Ballet Foundation, which has been set up in the Netherlands to protect, support and spread Ukrainian culture. The season will feature guest performances from Alina Cojocaru and Katja Khaniukova (TBC).

This is a unique opportunity to see a powerful and moving interpretation of one of the greatest romantic ballets of all time, with a company of world-class artists united by the tragedy of war and an ardent hope for the future.

Featuring guest performances from Alina Cojocaru and Katja Khaniukova, and under the baton of Viktor Oliynyk, conductor of the National Opera of Ukraine, this is a unique opportunity to see a powerful and moving interpretation of one of the greatest romantic ballets of all time, with a company of world-class artists united by the tragedy of war and an ardent hope for the future.