Romantic ballet at its best.

Giselle is an innocent and beautiful peasant girl who loves to dance, and unsuspectingly falls in love with a philandering nobleman, Albrecht. When he deceives her, she is inconsolable and dies of a broken heart.

The story continues in the moonlit land of the Wilis, a mysterious landscape inhabited by the vengeful spirits of virgin brides who never reached their wedding day. The ghostly Wilis torment Albrecht as he appears in search of the spirit of Giselle. The duality of the body and spirit, evocation of the supernatural, and the tale of undying love and devotion endears this quintessentially romantic ballet to a universal audience.

Duration: Approx 120 minutes (inclusive of 30 minute interval)

The Maynardville Open-Air Festival is one of South Africa’s most cherished cultural traditions. In 2026, it celebrates 70 years of Shakespeare in the park with a bumper season of music, theatre, and dance under the stars.

The 2026 programme is themed In Full Swing — a vibrant journey through the style, rhythm, and sensuality of the golden eras of music. Whether for the rhythm, revelry, or summer magic, Maynardville 2026 will have you swingin’ from the chandelier! Read on to discover the full lineup.