Update 17 October 2024
Northern Ballet, like many arts organisations, is under financial pressure, brought about largely by rising production and touring costs. As we first announced in September 2023 this has impacted the entire organisation - with a reduction in headcount across administrative staff, technical staff and dancers - and these financial pressures also led to the difficult decision to perform some productions to recorded music and explore new ways of working.
As we continue to navigate these challenges we are beginning to explore a strategic partnership between Northern Ballet and Opera North which would include the Orchestra of Opera North performing alongside the dancers of Northern Ballet.
The two organisations will remain entirely independent while collaborating to ensure that audiences continue to have access to live, large-scale ballet and opera in their local theatre. A partnership would aim to build financial resilience for both organisations, allowing more Northern Ballet performances to be performed to live music than our current circumstances allow.
We are maintaining a dialogue with members of Northern Ballet Sinfonia as we are conscious of how challenging the past 12 months have been for them, and that in pursuing a partnership with Opera North, this will impact on the livelihoods of a group of freelance musicians who have had a long and cherished association with the company.
Northern Ballet remains committed to performing to live music as much as possible. We will work closely with the Musicians’ Union as we develop this partnership proposal to help ensure we can continue to create opportunities by touring new work and revivals across the UK with world-class dancers, production values and live music.
More from Northern Ballet
