Overview

• The National Ballet of Japan made its first UK appearance at the Royal Opera House with Giselle, running through July 27.
• Direction by Miyako Yoshida and co-staging by Alastair Marriott received praise for clear storytelling and dramatic depth.
• Dick Bird’s Breughelesque village settings in shades of butter and pumpkin provided a vivid pastoral backdrop.
• Lead dancers Yui Yonezawa and Shun Izawa were lauded for Yonezawa’s ethereal lightness and Izawa’s commanding presence.
• In the second act, the corps de ballet embodied the wilis with thistledown lightness and a relentless edge.