Giselle Reimagined: The National Ballet of Japan’s Spellbinding UK Debut

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by Vikki Jane VILE

As is the end of season tradition, a visiting top-tier ballet company from around the world graces the Covent Garden stage for a few nights only. This year, and for the first time, it’s the National Ballet of Japan (NBJ). Now Artistic Director, Miyako Yoshida retired from the Royal Ballet in 2010 to embark on a successful freelance career before taking on her current role with the Tokyo based company in 2020.  She danced Giselle to great critical acclaim with the Royal and so it’s no surprise she wanted to direct her own production (in collaboration with Alastair Marriot) which premiered in 2022, and is now being seen in London for the first time.