October 2012 eNewsletter

We're delighted that four of our dancers have been listed in Dance Europe's Top 100 Dancers from around the world for 2011-2012. Ashley Dixon, Martha Leebolt, Tobias Batley and Javier Torres were all chosen by an international panel of critics and dance writers, with Ashley coming joint third on the list.

This caps a terrific year for Ashley, upon whom the role of the Beast in Beauty & the Beast was created. After an extremely successful spring season the production resumes its national tour with performances in Norwich, Bradford, Woking, Canterbury, Aylesbury and Bath this autumn.

The White Rose Arts and Culture Award 2012 was scooped by Hepworth Gallery Wakefield on 1 October at a glittering event at Elland Road. Worthy winners they are too after a phenomenal opening year - our hearty congratulations to them. The Northern Ballet party were thrilled to be highly commended by judges, so we didn't leave empty handed either!

Mark Skipper, Chief Executive at Northern Ballet, said: ‘Northern Ballet is a proud ambassador for Yorkshire. We represent Yorkshire's rich heritage regularly in our national and international tours. Our home in the centre of Leeds allows us the opportunity to bring people of all abilities closer to dance in all its forms. I am delighted that we have been recognised by the White Rose Awards. We were nominated in an extremely strong category and I am thrilled that Yorkshire is producing such exciting arts and culture at the moment.’

Due to high demand for Ugly Duckling an extra performance has been added at 4.30pm on Saturday 20 October at Yeadon Town Hall.

We got a sneaky peak of last month's dress rehearsal and captured some great photos of the adorable production, our first ballet especially for children.

With further performances this month at the Hunslet Club, Riley Theatre and Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre all selling quickly, book now to avoid missing out on the fun.

Our very own Tobias Batley and Martha Leebolt will be performing amongst dancers from Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and West End shows at the Royal Opera House Gala this month.

On Sunday 21 October Angela Rippon will be chairing the event, ‘Celebration - In a Class of their Own’ in the Linbury Theatre of the Royal Opera House.

The celebration is in aid of the Dance Teachers' Benevolent Fund with a donation also being made to the Wayne Sleep Foundation for Young Performers.

The £200 tickets include a champagne reception with canapés before the performance and during the interval.

Coryphée Sebastian took some time out from co-choreographingUgly Duckling (with Soloist Dreda Blow) to tell us more about himself.

Don't forget that on 6, 7 & 8 December we'll be participating in the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2012.During this time any money you give to sponsor Seb, Dreda or any of our dancers 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.

If you are a dance student or recent graduate then Launch is the networking and professional development day for you to make new contacts and collect information about how to get a job in dance.

Designed to help you choose and pursue specific roles within the Dance sector, the event will take place at Northern Ballet and Yorkshire Dance on Friday 9 November from 9.30am-6pm.

Organised by Dance UK in partnership with Northern Ballet, Yorkshire Dance, Phoenix Dance Theatre, Northern School of Contemporary Dance and Leeds Metropolitan University's Dance Department; tickets are £30 (£25 for Dance UK student members) including lunch and drinks.

Our exciting season of dance continues this month with Keneish Dance performing Vigour on 13 October and Shobana Jeyasingh Dance bringing Classic Cut on 25 October, an intriguing double-bill celebrating the Company's 25th anniversary.

From 29 October - 2 November Northern Ballet will perform Ugly Duckling, the Company's first ballet especially for children.

We'll also have fun and frolics with A Great Big Burlesque Bonanza on 6 October and comic Dave Johns on 12 October, as well as Comedy in the Dark presented by Dave on 20 October.

Northern Ballet
Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7PA

0113 220 8000
info@northernballet.com

Photos Martin Bell, Bill Cooper, Simon Lawson.