Today we announced our 2023/24 season, the first curated by Artistic Director Federico Bonelli.
Celebrating the breadth of the Company’s work, the season presents stories that connect with people of all ages and backgrounds. From UK and world premières created by compelling new voices with fresh perspectives, to the revival of critically acclaimed classic repertoire - these are stories created in Leeds for a national stage. Look out for:
- Generations: Three Short Ballets
- A world première from Tiler Peck and UK première from Benjamin Ella presented alongside Dutch master Hans Van Manen’s Adagio Hammerklavier in autumn 2023
- Romeo & Juliet
- A restaging of this landmark production directed by Christopher Gable and choreographed by Massimo Morricone touring in spring 2024.
- A new contemporary response to the classic story of Romeo & Juliet from Mthuthuzeli November for 2024.
- Family favourite Tortoise & the Hare returns in autumn 2023 for performances in Leeds and London before an extensive 2024 UK tour
- In a Company first, Northern Ballet dancers and dancers from our Ability course for adults with additional learning support needs join forces in a pioneering dance film created by renowned Director and Choreographer Ben Wright
- Northern Ballet Late will see us open our doors after hours for a special event featuring new work, previews, films and DJs
- Our Learning team will launch Rise & Shine, a new inclusive dance project in local schools supported by Paul Hamlyn Foundation
- David Nixon CBE’s fairy-tale ballet Beauty & the Beast and magical Christmas show, The Nutcracker, tour to UK theatres this autumn
Federico says:
“I am thrilled to present my first season as Artistic Director of Northern Ballet and to build upon the extraordinary work that has taken place before me, both on and off the stage.
At Northern Ballet we tell stories that connect with people and for my first season I have invited some exciting young choreographers to Leeds, to create new stories and share their fresh and compelling perspectives with us. These are presented alongside the revivals of landmark productions that we will take across the country with the hope of introducing a whole new generation of people to the power and beauty of world-class ballet.
Touring is part of our DNA, however, I am incredibly proud of our place within the wider cultural landscape of Leeds and the North of England. This year, we’re opening up our space and resources and looking forward to collaborating more closely and forging partnerships with our community, local artists and organisations throughout the North.
At the heart of everything we do is the belief that ballet has the power to have a significant impact on people’s lives. From our pioneering dance film to our new schools pilot, I am incredibly proud of our commitment to developing and growing our work in inclusive dance, as we continue to challenge ourselves to help make our artform more accessible.
We remain fiercely committed to breaking down the barriers to our artform, building inclusive pathways for the next generation of creative voices and connecting audiences of every age, background and lived experience, throughout the country, with unforgettable stories and performances that are accessible to everyone.”
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