Isaac Hernández as James in La SylphideEnglish National Ballet
Act 1
Young James is shortly to marry his betrothed, Effy. He slumbers in his armchair.
The Sylphide sits by his feet. She is in love with James and wakes him by kissing his forehead before vanishing through the chimney in the fireplace.
Jurgita Dronina and Isaac Hernandez in La SylphideEnglish National Ballet
James is spellbound and searches for the Sylphide, and his preoccupation with an invisible world confounds him.
He barely notices Effy, who is courted by another young suitor, Gurn.
Artists of English National Ballet in La SylphideEnglish National Ballet
Preparations for the wedding are under way but are brought to a standstill when the sorcerer Madge suddenly appears.
Despite James’s protest, the young girls, including Effy, have their fortunes told.
According to the soothsayer, Gurn rather than James is to wed Effy. This rouses James’s anger and he sends the sorcerer on her way.
Jurgita Dronina as The Sylph and Isaac Hernández as James in La SylphideEnglish National Ballet
When James is alone in the living room, the Sylphide appears again. She lets him know that her destiny is forever tied to his and declares her love for him.
James hesitates but only for a moment and is once again infatuated by her charm.
Artists of English National Ballet in La SylphideEnglish National Ballet
Gurn has witnessed the scene and seeks to reveal the nature of James’s true love to the wedding guests.
They brush his accusations aside, and then, at the ceremony, James has disappeared. He has left for the woods with the Sylphide and the poor bride-to-be is heartbroken.
Jurgita Dronina as The Sylph and Isaac Hernández as James in La SylphideEnglish National Ballet
Act 2
Madge has summoned the witches for a gathering in the misty forest. They concoct a magic potion and weave a pink veil. Meanwhile the Sylphide has led James to her kingdom in the woods.
When she asks James if he loves her, he hesitantly declares his love. The Sylphide’s many sisters dance for him.
Artists of English National Ballet in La SylphideEnglish National Ballet
The wedding guests search for James in the woods. Gurn finds his cap while Madge tells him of James’s infidelity.
Gurn then plucks up the courage to propose to Effy who reluctantly accepts.
Jurgita Dronina as The Sylph and Isaac Hernández as James in La SylphideEnglish National Ballet
James is alone in the forest. He is torn between the Sylphide and Effy. Madge appears and promises to make the Sylphide return. She gives him the pink veil and tells him that the veil is to be used to capture the Sylphide.
When the Sylphide returns, James follows Madge’s instructions. He wraps the Sylphide round in the veil and her fate is sealed. She has lost her freedom, loses her wings, and dies.
Madge is delighted, and while Gurn leads Effy to the alter, the Sylphide is carried through the air by her sisters. James is shattered and sinks to the ground.
