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Latest Blogs
Star Reviews for Cleopatra
Through the night of the London premiere the stars told us what they thought of the production... Frances Barber I thought it was absolutely fantastic. Absolutely stunning. I have played Cleopatra so I followed every single moment and wish that in my dreams I could have ever been as elegant as the Cleopatra tonight. It was absolutely marvellous. Loved it. Natalie Dormer I went to the British Museum exhibition on ancient Egypt just before Christmas and saw all the hieroglyphs, and the stances...
Sinophobia and Me
Or How the Yak Nearly Ruined the Hole in Stacy’s Heart I once narrowly avoided arrest in China because my full name is arranged in peculiar Welsh order. I hadn’t done anything wrong, not in my eyes; I’d just not stayed in the government approved guest house in Lhasa. On the day the Chinese police discovered that the Aled Roberts on the group visa was the same as the William Aled Gwyn Roberts in Lhasa Guest House’s twin-‘suite’ 4, I was not in Lhasa. I was in the Ö province being chased by a yak...
The Unbearable Lightness of Being Without Mezze
Bereft. That’s what we are. The Northern Ballet foyer no longer bristles with the wary fascination of bystanders as Levantes Theatre mixed cupcakes, made paper-chains, flew paper aeroplanes, and scattered confetti into the early gloaming. The car park is no longer fronted by Laura Mugridge’s deep yellow camper van – part performance, part squatter. Tea is no longer served four times a day, nor can one have an exclusive audience with one’s roads-not-travelled six times a day. In short, Mezze’s...
Celebrating Young People in the Performing Arts at Buckingham Palace
David Nixon, Martha Leebolt, Tobias Batley and I attended a reception at Buckingham Palace to celebrate young people in the performing arts. The event was hosted by HM The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. We arrived at 5.15 and passed through the main gates, walking across the courtyard and around the inner quadrangle to the main entrance. We followed the red carpet up the staircase and into the Portrait Gallery for champagne and canapes. After an hour we we were invited to join the receiving...
Theatrical Gastronomy
Northern Ballet plays host to Leeds Metropolitan University Gallery & Studio Theatre’s Festival of “bite-sized … intimate performances” tantalisingly called “Mezze”. What unites these productions is an intimacy between performer and audience. In each of the pieces the relationship between the watched and the watcher is challenged. This varies from the cosy complicity of the audiences in Laura Mugridge’s Edinburgh Fringe hit “Running on Air” to the more visceral corrosion of the fourth wall...
Wedding Bells
Everyone here at Northern Ballet would like to wish Prince William and Catherine Middleton a wonderful wedding and a long and happy life together. Your special day has lifted the hearts of this nation, may you share a lifetime of happiness together. Much love Hannah Bateman May the two of you spend a happy life together. Enjoy your day as the world enjoys it with you. Best wishes Matthew Broadbent Later this summer our very own Christie Duncan and Martin Bell will tie the knot - for the...
Don't Just Sit There Storm the KC Stadium
Good Friday saw the Don’t Just Sit There, Cultural Olympiad Project take over West Park as fans arrived at the Hull, KC Stadium. Their mission is to blend culture and sport in the run up to the London 2012 Olympics. They certainly did that at the KC. Spectators approaching the ground enjoyed a rare mix of Energisers sessions, Lishi dance, their local cheer leaders and Asian dance led by Rock and Dhol. After trying out the sporting skills in the Rugby Zone spectators watched Open Minds...
Kippax Ash Tree Primary
Last Thursday saw a spectacular end to a 5 week project with Kippax Ash Tree Primary. Funded by Creative Partnerships through Cape UK, the aim of the project was to look at how dance could be used to build trust and co-operation between the children in two year 4 classes. Over the 5 weeks the children created dances, wrote journals and letters, made sculptures and artwork, explored photography amongst other things all based on the work of artist Alberto Giacometti. We also spent an...
Manasamitra's Spring Fest at Northern Ballet this weekend
The sun’s been shining (sadly not quite so much today), a hint of summer is in the air and festival season is round the corner. But one festival is already in full swing and here at Northern Ballet we’re all so excited that our wonderful new building is one of the lucky festival venues. Spring fest! is a celebration of music, dance and art. Celebrating their 5th birthday this year Manasamitra is a West Yorkshire based arts organisation with a passion for providing a high...
Dancers dazzle the crowds at Vogue/Tatler event
Martha Leebolt and Tobias Batley travelled down to London on Tuesday to perform at a star studded Vogue/Tatler Golden Ticket Event at the Westfield Shopping Centre - it certainly was as glamorous as it sounds! In the company of the likes of Sophie Ellis Bexter, DJ Bip Ling and Naomi Campbell the dancers performed a pas de deux from Cleopatra in front of a specially invited audience, made up of London’s fashion elite - to a rapturous reception. Packed to the rafters with...
