Skip to main content
Dancer in a long white dress with black trim leans back, her torso level with her waist.

Three Short Ballets

Our sell-out series Three Short Ballets is back for 2024.

Made up of bite-size ballets, you'll be able to dip your toes into dance from three different creators on one night. From stories re-told to ballet classics.

Announced So Far

Fools: A Romeo & Juliet inspired story

Choreography Mthuthuzeli November

  • A captivating twist on Romeo and Juliet from the Olivier Award-winning Mthuthuzeli November.
  • Inspired by R.L. Peteni's South African novel Hill of Fools, this ballet tells a tale of bitter rivalry between two villages.
  • November creates powerful and emotive works that fuse ballet with other dance styles.
  • He previously wowed audiences with Wailers in our 2022 Three Short Ballets program.

Four Last Songs

Choreography Rudi van Dantzig

  • Created in 1977 by Dutch ballet pioneer Rudi van Dantzig, Four Last Songs is a breathtaking expression of love, loss, and the beauty of the human experience.
  • He was was known for his musical and moving style so expect impressive lifts, turns and jumps, performed to perfection.
  • The music is by Richard Strauss’ and combines classical music and a single soprano voice – it has been described as a ‘touchingly beautiful’
  • This will be the first time Four Last Songs has been performed in the UK, so you can be one of the first to see it here.

Still to be announced

The final ballet will be announced soon, so watch this space

What to expect from Three Short Ballets

A Night of Variety: From re-imagined classics to groundbreaking premières, Three Short Ballets promises a mix of works that caters to every dance enthusiast, even those new to ballet.

Top-tier Choreographers: This eclectic programme is the perfect opportunity to experience the work of some of the most talented choreographers of our time.

When it's gone it's gone: Each Three Short Ballets programme has a limited run in Leeds and London only so don't miss out and see them while you can!

Header image from Wailers by Mthuthuzeli November featuring dancer Sarah Chun, taken by Emma Kauldhar.

More from Northern Ballet