A dancer in a beige leotard stands on one foot en point, her other foot raised making a triangle against her knee

Three Short Ballets

Our sell-out series Three Short Ballets is back.

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.

A burst of playful, strutting, shoulder-shaking celebration
The Times on Victory Dance
...full of pattern, rhythm and moreish momentum
The Guardian on Fools
A quick shot of pure energy
The Telegraph on Victory Dance
...perfectly contained in finessed technique, faraway looks and pin sharp arabesques. The dancers are impressive all round
The Guardian
One dancer in a wheelchair leans back and holds the arms of two more dancers immediately behind him
Three couple, one in lilac, one in yellow, one in green, strike identical poses where one partner stands straight holding the other as she hold one arm above her and both legs behind.
Dancer wearing a light dress leaps gracefully high above the stage, the set of a ramshackle building behind her
Dressed in red, a dancer leaps high against an orange sunset
Sat on the floor, two dancers hold each other, one is knelt and looks hopeful, the other seems to barely support himself and has a fearful expression

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 in over 10 years, so you can be one of the first to see it here.

Find out more

Victory Dance

Choreography Kristen McNally

  • This new ballet is created by dancer and choreographer Kristen McNally
  • McNally is a Principal Character Artist of The Royal Ballet, where she has danced many roles and also choreographs
  • The new ballet will see McNally work with two Northern Ballet dancers and Joe Powell-Main, a disabled dancer who uses wheels and crutches
  • This will be an unmissable collaboration of innovation, inclusivity and excellence

Find out more

Fools

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 programme.

Find out more

Parental guidance recommended

Running time including interval: 95 minutes approximately

Under 30s Night

A dancer in a beige leotard stands on one foot en point, her other foot raised making a triangle against her knee

Three Short Ballets

Experience breathtaking ballet for just £10.25 at our exclusive Three Short Ballets Under 30s night.
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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 featuring dancer Sarah Chun, taken by Guy Farrow.