Power, Passion and Pointe Work: Northern Ballet Does Anne Lister Justice
Familiar to many thanks to the television series of the same name starring Suranne Jones, the story of Ann Lister has once again been brought to life by Northern Ballet. Set in the 1830s, the plot follows the unconventional life and loves of Anne Lister, who, being a prolific writer, maintained diaries which run to approximately five million words, a proportion of which were written in code.
Northern Ballet's Gentleman Jack
Undoubtedly best know through the television drama series created by Sally Wainwright, Gentleman Jack is the story of a powerful Yorkshire businesswoman from the 1830s. The 19th century was not a time known for its liberal-minded, easy-going attitudes to women in general and certainly not women who preferred other women as their life partners.
An Interplay With Phoenix Dance
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Phoenix Dance Theatre has embarked on an 18-date UK-wide tour with a brand-new mixed bill, Interplay, bringing together work by internationally acclaimed choreographers Travis Knight and James Pett, Ed Myhill, Yusha-Marie Sorzano, and Phoenix Dance Theatre’s Artistic Director, Marcus Jarrell Willis.
VERVE Dance Company Announces 2026 Tour Featuring Triple Bill Of Bold Contemporary Dance Works
VERVE, the international touring dance company of Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD), is thrilled to announce its 2026 tour featuring a captivating triple bill of contemporary dance works.
Northern Ballet Presents Gentleman Jack. The Extraordinary Story Of Anne Lister
From March 2026, the world premiere of Northern Ballet’s new full-length ballet – Gentleman Jack – is set to captivate Yorkshire audiences as part of a nationwide tour, with performances in Leeds (7-14 March 2026), Sheffield (31 March – 4 April) and Bradford (3-5 September).
Nutcracker in Havana
This is a wonderful and joyous ballet! Carlos Acosta, the Cuban international superstar of the classical ballet world, as director and choreographer, has, along with the Cuban composer Pepe Gavilondo, taken the much-loved and well-known Tchaikovsky score of one of our all-time festive favourites to produce what can only be described as a complete Nutcracker cultural reinvention.
Strictly Come Dancing Pros Head To Bradford
Fan-favourite professional dancers from Strictly Come Dancing will light up Bradford Live on Tuesday 12 May 2026, bringing their hit live show to the city as part of their nationwide tour. The latest Strictly The Professionals tour is bigger, bolder, and more breathtaking than ever.
Northern Ballet's Nutcracker: Tradition Meets Modern Reinvention
For many, The Nutcracker is as much a part of Christmas tradition as mulled wine, mince pies and decorating the tree. Being lucky enough to grow up with an annual family trip to the ballet, for me, the Christmas season doesn’t really begin until we take our seats in the auditorium.
Momentum: London City Ballet
Flamenco Fireworks Burn Brightest
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There were fireworks in the streets, this being the Saturday after Bonfire Night, but these were nothing compared to the spring-heeled jumping-jacks within. No spinning Catherine Wheel or fiery Guy Fawkes’ Fountain ever created greater visual effects, more brilliant plumes of colour, more kinetically kaleidoscopic patterns or more vibrant movements than a Flamenco dancer in full swing.
Opera North's Susanna
Opera North has collaborated with Phoenix Dance on four previous opera productions. Each of these has been a delight, but this performance of Handel's Susanna has been my favourite. There's something perfectly operatic about adding another art form into an already dazzling display of orchestral music, singing, acting, costume design, set design, sound, lighting...
Founder Of Leeds Dance Studio Celebrates After Reaching The National Finals Of The Prestigious Woman WHO Awards
Katie Geddes, Founder of The Dance Studio Leeds, who champions the benefits of dance for mental health and wellbeing, is celebrating after reaching the finals of the Woman Who Solopreneur Awards 2025. Katie Geddes has been supporting the local dance community for the last 16 years, sharing her passion for dance and the positive impact it has for both body and mind.
Riverdance Principal Dancers Anna-Mai Fitzpatrick And Fergus Fitzpatrick In Conversation
Since Riverdance first emerged onto the world stage, its fusion of Irish and international dance and music has captured the hearts of millions worldwide. The Grammy Award-winning music and the infectious energy of its mesmerising choreography and breathtaking performances have left audiences in awe and established Riverdance as a global cultural sensation.
Contemporary Dance With Verve
I have to confess that I love and adore contemporary dance. Not all of it of course, but as a grand sweeping statement then I find that it is my favourite art form. What a treat is was then to be invited to see the last date of VERVE - the international touring dance company of Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD) - as they complete their latest tour at the Leeds Playhouse.
Northern Ballet presents Sketches: Past, Present, Future
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Following sell-out performances in 2024, Northern Ballet’s choreographic platform, Sketches, is returning to Leeds with a compelling programme that weaves together new works and a classic piece of ballet repertoire. Devised by Artistic Director Federico Bonelli, Sketches offers emerging choreographers a platform to workshop, create, and present new and innovative works.
Northern Ballet Wins Dance Prize For Gentleman Jack
In October 2024 Northern Ballet announced the creation of a major new full-length ballet based on the extraordinary life of 19th century icon Anne Lister, or ‘Gentleman Jack’, the historical Yorkshire figure often referred to as ‘the first modern lesbian’ whose decoded diaries have captivated audiences around the world.
Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure For Kids
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I went to the theatre with a little trepidation, unsure what to expect from the world’s first ever World Looping Champion but I came away having not only having had my first lesson in beatboxing but also the history of the artform, lessons in tolerance for one another, and to follow your dreams.
A South Asian Dragon With Fire In Its Belly
You have just tonight (Saturday) to see what I can honestly say is one of the best dance productions I have had the pleasure to witness in more than a decade. Few things stick out in your mind when you see something like six shows a month, but the magnificent Eun-Me Ahn Dance Company will stay with me for a long time to come, as will its equally amazing ‘Dragons’.
Jane Eyre A Bold Move
Taking on any classic novel for interpretation into a narrative ballet strikes me as a bold move. With well-loved texts comes an audience with strong opinions on characters and themes making them potentially hyper-critical of another person’s vision of the story.
Verve A Journey Of Incredible Movement
Neither of us had any real experience of contemporary dance on arrival for Northern School of Contemporary Dance’s tour of Verve at Harrogate theatre. Little did we know what a treat we were in for! Sixteen dancers, three different shows with three different choreographers.
The Return Of The Legends
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James Jordan Last year’s Legends tour was a life-changing experience, reigniting a passion for dance I thought was lost. The energy, artistry, and camaraderie reminded me why I fell in love with dance. I’m deeply grateful to the exceptional team and talent behind it.
Dominquie Larose Chats About Her Role As Jane Eyre In Northern Ballet's Forthcoming Production
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Concluding our three short interviews we hear from Dominquie Larose as Jane Eyre on how she is preparing for the performances of Jane Eyre and what she most enjoys about performing in Northern Ballet’s home city of Leeds.
Joseph Taylor Discusses His Role As Mr Rochester In Northern Ballet's Jane Eyre
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In the second of our three short interviews we hear from Joseph Taylor as Mr Rochester on how he is preparing for the performances of Jane Eyre and what he most enjoys about performing in Northern Ballet’s home city of Leeds.
Amber Lewis Discusses Her Role As Bertha In Northern Ballet's Jane Eyre
In the first of three short interviews we hear from Northern Ballet dancers who speak on how they go about their preparation leading up to the performances and what they most enjoy about performing in Northern Ballet’s home city of Leeds.
Two Days Of Magical Ballet The Nutcracker & Swan Lake
On Sunday, 12th January, at the Grand Opera House, York, we all lost ourselves in the enchanting fairytale written by E.T.A. Hoffman, of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince, a delightful post-Christmas treat for all the family presented by Mergaliyev Classical Ballet. Since its debut in Russia in 1892, the ballet has continued to captivate audiences.
A Christmas Carol With Bells On
Dicken's frequently gritty tales of Victorian England are replaced with a straightforward tale of morality in the 'oh so well-known' A Christmas Carol. The scene is set with the distant sounds of carriages, horses hooves clip-clopping, and projected images of snow falling, all accompanied by the joyous babble of dozens of schoolchildren.
Northern Ballet’s Revival Of A Christmas Carol
With just weeks to go until Northern Ballet’s critically acclaimed revival of A Christmas Carol comes to Leeds Grand Theatre, the city’s next generation of ballet dancers have been getting a festive flavour of what it will be like to perform as part of this magical production next month.
The Delightful Tashi Lhunpo Monks
For the past twenty years a delegation of monks from one of the four major monasteries of the Gelugpa (or Yellow Hat) tradition, Tashi Lhunpo, in the south of India travels to the UK. The first Dalai Lama founded the monastery in 1447, and the group is renowned for its scholarship in Mahayana Buddhist philosophy and the tantric tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
Leeds Civic Trust Unveiling 200th Blue Plaque To Honour Visionary Dance Teacher And Educationist, Nadine Senior MBE
Leeds Civic Trust is celebrating a significant milestone by unveiling its 200th blue plaque in honour of the esteemed dance educator Nadine Senior MBE. The blue plaque will highlight Senior's lasting influence on the world of dance and education, particularly in Leeds, where her work transformed the arts landscape.
Northern Ballet - Three Short Ballets
With Northern Ballet’s Three Short Ballets series, the audience is treated to an evening of dance that incorporates a broad range of styles. Arriving late to the theatre, I had no time to read the programme before the first half, meaning that I had no idea what to expect. I usually prefer to be a bit better-informed before a performance, but going in completely clueless has its benefits.