Artist Sundays: Akram Khan’s Giselle Takeover at the Whitworth
Polly Checkland Harding
Giselle – a ballet choreographed by the award winning dancer Akram Khan, with set and costume design by the Oscar winning designer behind Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Tim Yip, and which has its world premiere at Manchester’s Palace Theatre. Though in a fallow year for Manchester International Festival, it’s a typical MIF production (in partnership with the English National Ballet): daring, inventive, and set to be stunning. More than that, though, MIF and ENB have teamed up with the Whitworth for a very special day of ambitious free activity to coincide with the opening of Giselle.
Akram Khan’s Giselle Takeover at the Whitworth on Sunday 18 September includes a one-off, pop-up exhibition of clothing designed by emerging fashion designers under the instruction of Tim Yip; the pieces will respond to ideas of dislocation and the underworld, central themes in Giselle. There will also be three family dance workshops (booking required) combining traditional and unusual percussion and led by professional artists from the English National Ballet. Professional dancers shouldn’t miss a unique opportunity to learn about Khan’s choreographic approach in another practical workshop, led by Martin Khoo, rehearsal director for Khan’s Giselle.
Equally unmissable will be the live performance of two solo works by renowned choreographer José Agudo in the gallery, with cutting-edge costumes designed by Manchester-based artists Cindy To and Lauren Karpowicz. Finally, there will be a screening of an original film inspired by Khan’s Giselle and shot in the spectacular, Grade II* listed surrounds of Victoria Baths. The Giselle Takeover at the Whitworth looks set to be a highly unusual, one-off day of dance-inspired activities – don’t miss it.
