Outset Greece is proud to have supported Kostas Tsioukas' production of Giselle at the Athens & Epidaurus Festival 2019.
Giselle is one of the most beloved and popular romantic ballets of all time: an irresistible love story with a cathartic, yet also tragic finale. Giselle, a beautiful, kind peasant girl falls in love with Albrecht, a nobleman. Fearing that Albrecht does not respond to her feelings, her heart fails her and she dies. She is buried in a cemetery where the Wilis, women with stories of unfulfilled or unfortunate love rest; women who, during the night, turn into spirits, rise and dance. If a man guilty of betraying maidens passes by, they force him to dance to the last. When the guilt-stricken Albrecht visits Giselle’s grave to apologize and confess his love for her, she forgives him. Nevertheless, the ghostly maidens, led by their leader Myrtha, surround him and condemn him. Giselle protects him, though, and dances with him till the break of day, until the spirits return to the darkness and he can leave in safety.
Kostas Tsioukas, an iconoclastic choreographer with a very unique personal style, attempted an introspective take on this classic tale, re-imagining its Central European, medieval overtones as more contemporary, intimate, and Southern European. Tsioukas remained faithful to the original structure of the play, while also suggesting a fresh approach in terms of movement and atmosphere, where the lighting and a corps de ballet comprised of volunteer dancers and actors set the tone. With influences from goth culture, Neo-Romantic music, classical painters and delirious pop aesthetics, Tsioukas transposed this romantic tale in the present.
ON VIEW: 5th-6th June 2019
