Northern Ballet are providing us with a small, but beautifully formed, selection of performances between now and the end of the year.
From 8th – 16th September they present Generations: Three Short Ballets, on their home ground in Leeds, at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre. This event breaks new ground in several senses as all three ballets are from the cream of crop. Not only that but one is a World Première and another a UK Première. The third is a perennial favourite.
The first piece is the world première by New York City Ballet’s superstar, Tiler Peck, who has devised this ballet to the score Intimate Pages. It is her first collaboration with a European company, so another feather in the cap of Northern Ballet.
They are going to need a bigger cap for all their feathers soon as the second short ballet is a UK première by up-and-coming choreographer from the Royal Ballet, Benjamin Ella. The music comprises piano and violin pieces composed by Jean Sibelius.
The third work was created 50 years ago by Hans van Manen (as opposed to White van Man) and is set to Beethoven’s piano sonata.
If you think that ballet dancers are a bit staid, then just click on this to see Tiler Peck and the NB performers, given’ it large.
Should you be fortunate enough to be under 30, there is a special performance on 12th September at 19.30 just for you so please go to https://northernballet.com/theatre/generations-under-30s for more details and to book. It only costs a tenner and there are bonuses such as a drinks reception and programme. Don’t for get your ID.
29th November – 10th December sees the return to Leeds Grand Theatre of that Christmas stalwart, The Nutcracker. It is choreographed by David Nixon CBE to the music of Tchaikovsky. This is a return visit following the success of last year’s run. I would like to thank those responsible for the rerun as I missed it last Christmas due to being incapacitated in the knee department.
The final production is more of a heads-up as it doesn’t arrive in Leeds until next June, but it begins its run on 4th – 7th October at Nottingham Theatre Royal, before following the well-trodden path walked by Opera North, but in reverse. 7th – 11th November sees performances at Newcastle Theatre Royal and 21st – 25th November at Norwich Theatre Royal. I hope they don’t bump into each other. It is another of David Nixon CBE’s works, Beauty & The Beast.
For details of these and other future productions, to book and to learn more about Northern Ballet, please go to their website https://northernballet.com/ There are also snippets of music and lots of articles and videos to give first-timers a taste of what to expect, so, on your toes and get booking.
All images supplied by Northern Ballet
Tyke It To The Limit 