GENERATIONS: THREE SHORT BALLETS
September 8th - November 2nd, 2023
Join us for a trio of contemporary ballets created by choreographers from across the generations – brought together by Artistic Director Federico Bonelli.
Tiler Peck – the American ballet superstar creates her first work for a European company, receiving its world premiere here. Benjamin Ella – a UK premiere of the new piece from the fast-rising choreographer and Royal Ballet Soloist. Hans van Manen – the Dutch master’s extraordinary Adagio Hammerklavier, a contemporary classic performed to mark 50 years since its premiere.
Goldberg Variations
Goldberg Variations Photo: Hugh Carswell
Sketches
Sketches - Sarah Chun
We're delighted to announce a new season of dance opening in March 2023 at our home, the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre. The season will include work from local, national, and international choreographers and companies, each with a unique style and vision, making this season a truly exciting one. Andersson Dance and Scottish Ensemble will kick off the season with their acclaimed reimagining of J.S. Bach’s masterpiece on Thursday 9 March. Goldberg Variations – ternary patterns for insomnia adds a fresh visual dimension to this revered work – fusing music and movement to profound and joyous effect, and showing off its humour, humanity and beauty in an entirely new way. This will be followed by Sketches, a showcase of new choreography from Northern Ballet’s Company of dancers on Friday 5 May. Alongside the dancers, Leeds based choreographer, Jamaal Burkmar will present a new work developed with the classical technique of Northern Ballet. A preceding choreographic workshop will allow the dancers to explore, develop and experiment with movement, ideas and storytelling under the mentorship of Artistic Director, Federico Bonelli, and three established choreographers: Mthuthuzeli November, creator of Wailers and the Olivier Award-winning Ingoma; Kenneth Tindall, Northern Ballet’s Choreographer in Residence; and Sharon Watson MBE DL, CEO and Principal of Northern School of Contemporary Dance.
THE GREAT GATSBY
Leeds Grand Theatre - 8 to 18 March, 2023
Dominique Larose and Joseph Taylor
Joseph Taylor in the Great Gatsby
Ayami Miyata and Mariana Rodrigues
THE NUTCRACKER
ACT I The night before Christmas As the Edwards family prepare for their Christmas party, Clara imagines the wonderful things that might happen. Her brother Frederick can’t miss a moment to tease her and is only stopped by the arrival of their beautiful older sister Louise.The party comes to life with lots of dancing and as the excitement builds, Uncle Drosselmeyer arrives with a huge box from the Far East out of which come two sets of life-sized dancing dolls. This is not the only treat he has in store and he presents Clara and Frederick with a strange wooden soldier doll.Clara is in awe of the little wooden man and is even more surprised when Uncle Drosselmeyer reveals the doll’s ability to crack nuts. Frederick quickly becomes jealous, a fight follows and soon the doll lies broken on the floor. Clara’s tears dry as her Uncle manages to repair the doll. The party ends and Clara leaves her Nutcracker by the tree before going to bed. Unseen, Drosselmeyer remains behind and casts his magic… Let the battle commence Unable to sleep, Clara tiptoes down to the dark room and is soon surrounded by large mice. The room seems to have grown and the china cabinet has become a castle, home to a life-sized version of her Nutcracker doll that comes to life.The Mouse King reveals his presence and declares war. The Nutcracker Prince musters his toy infantry and the cavalry. A huge battle takes place. Just as the Mouse King is about to overpower the Nutcracker doll, Clara distracts him, allowing the Nutcracker to strike the winning blow.Once again Drosselmeyer calls upon his magic and the Nutcracker is transformed into a handsome boy. Clara holds his hand and they are transported into a snowy fairyland with dancing snow maidens – cold, beautiful and gentle as the snow itself. Drosselmeyer reappears with a magic sleigh and the Prince and Clara climb on board bidding farewell to the snow maidens and gazing up towards the stars.
Ashley Dixon - Rachael Gillespie
ACT II A garden of delights Up into the clouds they go, almost touching the man in the moon. Then they dance their way down to a beautiful garden. Clara is introduced to the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier: aren’t they like her sister Louise and her boyfriend James? Clara tells the tale of the battle. Everyone dances in her honour – beautiful Arabian Princesses, Russian Cossacks, French ballet dancers and even exotic flowers. Clara is soon dancing herself and only stops to witness the most beautiful of all dances by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. All too soon the dancing ends and suddenly Clara finds herself in the arms of her loving father. She runs around the room, looking everywhere for the Prince and all the wonderful people and tries to tell her father about all the sights she has seen. Can it have all been just a dream? As she turns to go back to bed she catches a glimpse of her Uncle and the Nutcracker Prince.
Clara: Rachael Gillespie