A Northern Ballet dancer, facing the right with their right arm stretched out and their left leg stretched behind them.

Farewell to Joseph Taylor

This winter we are saying goodbye to one of our most beloved dancers, Principal Dancer Joseph Taylor who will leaving Northern Ballet to pursue new performing opportunities.

A man in leather boots, light trousers, dark belt and white shirt stands forlorn, one hand raised high, the other stretched behind his, his head thrown back
Dressed in a white shirt, pale blue trousers and waistcoat, Jay Gatsby stands on the toes of one foot, lifts his other leg straight in front of him, and fingers of each hand touch at the tips above his head
Man in top hat, dark overcoard, fine waistcoat and trousers hold a riding crop above his head, stands firmly on one foots toes, the other leg raised high, mean in grey clothes rush around him nervously.
A woman sits on the floor looking a a man standing on one leg, his other outstretched behind him, his arms out for balance
M.M. is lifted by Casanova while she is doing the splits

Joseph has danced with Northern Ballet for 13 years, and in that time has played a vital role at the heart of the Company creating and dancing more roles than it is possible to count!

Some of Joseph’s most memorable roles include Romeo (Christopher Gable’s Romeo & Juliet), Gatsby (David Nixon's The Great Gatsby), Mr Rochester (Cathy Marston's Jane Eyre), Casanova (Kenneth Tindall's Casanova), Prince Adair (where he created the role in The Little Mermaid with David Nixon CBE) and Prince Albert (where he created the role in Victoria with Cathy Marston).

"Joe will be much missed by everyone at Northern Ballet, and I know by our supporters and audiences across the UK as well. Joe is a strong partner, and a wonderful and expressive dancer who has embodied so many characters at Northern Ballet. We wish him well for the next chapter of his career and I hope our path cross again in the future.”

Artistic Director Federico Bonelli

Header photo taken by Drew Forsyth. Other photos by Emily Nuttall (Joseph Taylor and Dominique Larose in Generations), Emma Kauldhar (Jane Eyre), Tristram Kenton (Romeo & Juliet), and Caroline Holden (The Great Gatsby, Joseph Taylor and Abigail Prudames in Casanova).