In 1996, Northern Ballet made Leeds our home, beginning an exciting new chapter. From early days in West Park to our current building in Quarry Hill, the city has given us the space to grow, create, and inspire while remaining true to our mission: creating stories that connect and sharing the joy of dance with audiences everywhere.
For 30 years, we have staged ballets for audiences to enjoy, built meaningful connections with local communities and nurtured the next generation of dancers at the Academy of Northern Ballet. All from our home, Leeds.
To celebrate, we look back at the moments and memories that have made the city such an important part of our story.
A New Chapter
After more than 25 years based in Manchester and Halifax, Northern Ballet Theatre (as we were known back then) relocated to a new facility in West Park, Leeds. The move gave us the opportunity to establish a home in one of the UK’s leading cultural cities. It was a fresh start that would reshape the future of the company for decades to come.
“It’s remarkable to see how much Northern Ballet has grown and evolved. I’ll never forget the camaraderie, creativity and sense of possibility we shared as dancers during those early years at West Park. While our surroundings have changed considerably since then, the company’s shared purpose and ambition have remained constant.”
At the heart of this era was Artistic Director Christopher Gable CBE, whose vision helped shape Northern Ballet into the company audiences know today. He believed dancers should be storytellers as well as performers, connecting with audiences beyond traditional ballet lovers.
That vision came to life in Michael Pink's Dracula, which premiered in 1996, making history as our first large-scale production created as a Leeds-based company. The gothic tale showcased everything Northern Ballet was striving for: powerful storytelling, theatrical imagination, and the ability to transport audiences into another world. A defining production in our history, it announced our arrival in Leeds with ambition and confidence.
Growing with Leeds
Over the past three decades, we have continued to grow alongside Leeds, welcoming new creative voices while staying true to our identity.
In 2001, David Nixon CBE stepped into the role of Artistic Director, expanding the repertoire with acclaimed productions such as The Great Gatsby, Wuthering Heights, The Nutcracker, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a new production of Dracula and many more. David also embraced the world of digital dance and introduced new choreographers to the company.
As the company flourished, we needed a home that could continue to grow with us. In 2010, we proudly opened our purpose-built headquarters at Quarry Hill, featuring state-of-the-art rehearsal studios, administration offices, production spaces, and the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre. More than a new building, the move marked the start of a new era, as Northern Ballet Theatre became simply Northern Ballet.
"Having a permanent home in Leeds has been fundamental to Northern Ballet's success. Our years at West Park gave us a strong foundation, and the move to our home at Quarry Hill provided the facilities and stability to continue growing our artistic ambitions. Having a world-class base in Leeds has enabled the company to flourish while remaining firmly rooted in the city."
Quarry Hill also allowed us to build connections in Leeds beyond the stage. The Academy of Northern Ballet, programmes run by our Learning Team and community projects have allowed thousands of people to experience dance, from young children discovering ballet to underrepresented communities in the dance world.
30 Years of Stories
During our time in Leeds, we've reimagined beloved classics and introduced audiences to new stories through the power of ballet.
“Looking back, what stands out most is the extraordinary number of productions that have been created from these buildings by a relatively small but incredibly talented and dedicated team. Time and again, people across the organisation have achieved far beyond what our resources might suggest is possible, driven by creativity, resilience and an unwavering commitment to excellence.”
Steve Wilkins, Technical Director (18 Years at Northern Ballet)
Northern Ballet in 2026
Thirty years after arriving in the city, our story is still being written.
Today, under the artistic leadership of Federico Bonelli, we continue to create bold new productions while building on the the storytelling tradition that made us who we are today. Every new ballet begins here, in Leeds, before touring to audiences across the UK.
This anniversary year also brings a special full-circle moment, with Michael Pink returning to Northern Ballet to stage his version of Cinderella. Having been Associate Artistic Director alongside Christopher Gable CBE when we moved to Leeds in 1996, his return is a fitting reminder of the lasting legacy that continues to shape our company.
None of this would have been possible without the support of Arts Council England, Leeds City Council, our many supporters over the years, and, of course, our audiences. Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or have recently discovered Northern Ballet, thank you for being part of our journey.
We're proud to continue creating stories that connect from the city we proudly call home. Here’s to 30 more years of bringing the joy of dance to audiences everywhere, right from the heart of Leeds.
Photos by various photographers, including Brian Slater, Emily Spencer, Lydia Hutton and Jevan Chowdhury.
