Skip to main content
Against a black backdrop two dancers stand facing each other with one foot en pointe, and one dancer leaning back with her arms above her head
Northern Ballet

Sketches: Past, Present, Future

Following sell-out performances in 2024, Sketches returns with an exciting new programme that seamlessly bridges the past, present and future of ballet.

Devised by Northern Ballet's Artistic Director, Federico Bonelli, Sketches offers a rare and intimate look into the creative process, stripping ballet down to its rawest form: no sets, no lighting — just movement, music, and pure artistry. 

This year’s programme presents innovative new works by artists from Northern Ballet alongside captivating pieces by guest artists. You’ll also hear directly from the choreographers about the inspiration behind their creations. Then, experience timeless elegance and technical brilliance as the performance concludes with an excerpt from the classic ballet Paquita

Don’t miss this opportunity to witness some of the fresh choreographic voices redefining ballet while also celebrating its legacy.

Running Time: Estimated 2 hours 5 minutes total, subject to change.

  • Act 1: 32 minutes
  • 15 minutes interval
  • Act 2: 33 minutes
  • 15 minutes interval
  • Act 3, Paquita: 30 minutes

Waves of What Remains by George Liang contains strobed lighting

In rehearsal 

Two dancers stood on their toes with one arm raised looking at each other and smiling
A dancer stood on one leg with the other raised and arm extended. The dancer is wearing a dark purple leotard, black leggings and a white tutu
Two dancers, one in a pink tutu stood on pointe in an arabesque. The other dancer supports her
A dancer stood with one arm outstretched in a black leotard and a white tutu.
Two dancers in shot, one behind the other. The dancer in front leans forward on her toes wearing a pink tutu and reaching down.

Photos Emily Nuttall

Choreographers

Vince Virr

Guest Choreographer

Glimpse

Music: Composed by Leeds-based composer and musician Eeshar Singh.

George Liang

Northern Ballet Dancer

Waves of What Remains

  • Music by ZhouHan Du
  • Costumes by Lauren Savill

In collaboration with Northern School of Contemporary Dance

Contains strobed lighting

Longing For Spring Breeze

Yosuke Mino

Guest Choreographer

Passing By

Music: Sonata No. 1 for Solo Violin in G Minor, BWV 1001: II. Fuga. Allegro by J.S. Bach

Bruno Serraclara

Northern Ballet Dancer

Traviate Ma Trovate  

Music:

  • Uni Pro by Carsten Nicolai, by arrangement with Budde Music
  • La Sonnambula, Act II Scene 2: Ah! non credea mirarti (Arr. for Solo Piano by François Virot) by Vincenzo Bellini
  • La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi.

Daniel de Andrade

Northern Ballet Artistic Associate

Heart of Glass

Music: Glass Heart Concerto by Philip Glass, Deborah Harry, Chris Stein © 2016 Dunvagen Music Publishers Inc. Used by Permission.

Tobey I’Anson

Guest Choreographer

Crowbar

Tuesday performance only

Music: Original music composed by Tobey l’Anson.

Jun Ishii

Northern Ballet Dancer

Dawn

Music:

  • Libre Parcours by René Aubry by kind permission of Music Box Publishing
  • Main Theme from Onmyoji Composed by Shigeru Umebayashi. Published by First Name Music Ltd. / Novello & Co Ltd. By arrangement with Novello and Co Ltd. Recording used by kind permission of EX Ltd. All rights reserved
  • Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence by Yoshida Brothers, by arrangement with Sony Music

Albert González Orts

Northern Ballet Dancer

What You Know 

Music:

  • Concerto No 10 in B Minor for 4 violins and cello by Antonio Vivaldi
  • Cold by Sign Crushes Motorist, by kind permission of Liam McCay.

Paquita

Staged by Hikaru Kobayashi and Federico Bonelli

An Excerpt from Paquita

Originally premiering at the Paris Opera in 1846, Paquita is a Spanish inspired romantic ballet that has become a staple of ballet repertoire. In 1881, Marius Petipa staged a revival of the ballet in Russia, adding the Grand Pas Classique and the Pas de Trois sections in his characteristic style. Petipa’s additions quickly became the most memorable part or the performance, and they are the only fragments of the ballet preserved today.

Music by Ludwig Minkus, Anna Takova-Baynova, Valentina Raicheva, Sofia National Opera Orchestra, Boris Spassov.

George Liang Costume Sponsor

All information correct at the time of publication and is subject to change without notice.

More at Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre