September 2012 eNewsletter

We're brimming with excitement this month as the UK Première of David Nixon's Ondine is almost upon us. The heartrending tale of doomed romance between a mysterious water nymph and a handsome nobleman is one of the great classical ballets and is rarely performed outside of London. Don't miss your only opportunity to see Northern Ballet perform this beautifully moving story from 8 - 15 September at West Yorkshire Playhouse.

Our autumn tour leaps into action with performances of Madame Butterfly at Sheffield Lyceum, Manchester Palace and Nottingham Theatre Royal coming up. Set to Puccini's rousing score, Madame Butterfly is considered a Northern Ballet classic by audiences and critics alike. You can see footage from the performance in our official production trailer, as well as reading audience and press reactions on our Madame Butterfly mini-site.

Soloist Dreda has been a busy lady recently, choreographing our first ever ballet for children Ugly Duckling with Sebastian Loe, as well as rehearsing for the role of Beatrice in Ondine. Luckily she still had time to tell us a little more about herself...

This year we are delighted that Northern Ballet's Sponsor a Dancer campaign has been selected to participate in the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2012. The Big Give is an annual match funding event. On 6, 7 and 8 December any money you donate to Sponsor a Dancer, including renewing your sponsorship, could be doubled.

We know December is a busy time so you can sign up now at northernballet.com/biggive to receive an email reminder nearer the time.

We'll be joining in with the fabulous free activities at the Heritage Open Day on Sunday 9 September. Leeds' most historic theatres, The Grand & City Varieties, will be pulling back the curtains and inviting you to go behind the scenes to explore these beautiful venues. With competitions, craft activities, creative workshops and demonstrations running throughout the day the whole family will be entertained.

Former Northern Ballet dancers Charlotte Broom and Christopher Akrill will perform with their new company HeadSpace Dance on 19 September, just a week after their debut at the Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House. The performance will be the first in our season of contemporary dance in conjunction with Dep Arts, which also includes State of Flux’s acclaimed work Forgetting Natasha on 27 September.

Northern Ballet's Company Pianist Grant Green will take centre-stage on 21 September with a Piano Recital including music by Bach, Mompou and Debussy. Young Opera Venture will also be back by popular demand on 26 September with highlights from some of the classic operas in Opera Appetizers.

Scottish comedian Fred MacAulay brings his brilliant hit Edinburgh Festival show Legally Bald to Leeds on 29 September.

More dates to be announced

Photos Merlin Hendy, Jason Tozer, Simon Lawson, Tony O'Connell