what’s onseptember 2013 – january 2014

northernballet.com

Once again Northern Ballet looks forward to an exciting and busy few months ahead. We are delighted to bring you the world première of our new ballet Cinderella. We also welcome back A Midsummer Night’s Dream and A Christmas Carol. For our young audiences and their families, Three Little Pigs opens in Leeds following on from the fantastic success of Ugly Duckling, which returns due to popular demand this autumn.

As a company we are committed to creating new work, maintaining our far-reaching tour and developing our audiences, but we can only do that with your help. Please support us by buying a ticket to our performances, sponsoring a dancer or by joining us as a Friend or Patron.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Hello and welcome

Cinderella 04

A Midsummer Night’s Dream 06

A Christmas Carol 08

Three Little Pigs & Ugly Duckling 10

Support Northern Ballet 12

Our Home 13

Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre 14

At a Glance 15

What’s on...

Cover Dreda Blow as Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Photo Jason Tozer.Right Victoria Sibson and Giuliano Contadini as Mr and Mrs Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol. Photo Bill Cooper.

David Nixon OBEArtistic Director

Mark Skipper DLChief Executive

‘Thanks in part to Northern Ballet, no wonder we are the dance envy of Europe, if not the Western world’Sunday Express

‘A Company that boasts the best dance-actors in the world’Dance Europe

‘Northern Ballet has established a formidable reputation for excellence and innovation over its four-decade history’The Stage

‘…you simply, surely can’t get anyone better and I challenge you to find me a Company that produces performers better than this’Yorkshire Evening Post

‘The company as a whole has never looked better’Sunday Express

A powerhouse for inventive dance

A beautiful summer’s day turns into tragedy. Devastated by the loss of her father, and excluded by her cruel stepmother and sisters, Cinderella finds solace on the frozen lake where she first sees her Prince Charming.

As romance blossoms, a magical encounter in a market place changes Cinderella’s destiny.

Set in Imperial Russia at a time when superstitious people believe in the possibility of magic, our new adaptation of this classic fairytale sees heartbreak turn to joy as the unstoppable power of young love conquers all.

world première

cinderella

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production supported by

david nixon’s

Journey through elegant Russia, with breathtaking winter scenes and opulent ballrooms created by Duncan Hayler (Beauty & the Beast, A Midsummer Night’s Dream). With a new score from Phillip Feeney played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia, you will not want to miss this unforgettable ballet.

northernballet.com/cinderella

Leeds Grand TheatreTue 17 December 2013 – Sat 4 January 2014Preview Mon 16 December 7pmEvenings Tue – Sat 7pmSun 22 & 29 Dec 4pmMatinees 19, 21, 27, 28, 30 Dec & 2 & 4 Jan 2pmNo perf 23 – 25, 31 Dec & 1 JanBox Office 0844 848 2700leedsgrandtheatre.com£5.50 - £40

Audio Described performance available

Isaac Lee-Baker as the Prince and Michela Paolacci as Cinderella in Cinderella. Photos Jason Tozer.

Extra special experiencesCinderella Ball Thursday 5 DecemberA special evening of dinner and dancing in our stunning buildingFamily Workshop Package Sunday 22 DecemberGet your little ones ready for Cinderella with a fun session of dancing, craft activities and lunchHarvey Nichols’ Premium Dinner & Ticket PackageEnjoy dinner at Harvey Nichols before a performance of CinderellaRudding Park Stay, Dinner & Premium Ticket PackageIndulge in a luxury stay with dinner and breakfast at Rudding Park Hotel. Includes a ticket to Cinderella

For more information visitnorthernballet.com/cinderella

It’s the final rehearsal and emotions run high as artistic temperaments clash with romantic entanglements. The time comes to leave for Edinburgh but the tensions continue on board the train and as the Company settle down for the night, the train enters a tunnel and the dream begins.

Join Puck, Bottom, Titania, Oberon and the Company for a magical evening of dance, breathtaking sets and beautiful costumes with music by Mendelssohn and Brahms

A Midsummer Night’s Dream sees the romantic antics of a touring dance company played out on one magical night as the Company travels by sleeper train from London to Edinburgh.

‘Spectacular’The Independent

‘Maximum stage magic’The Guardian

‘It’s great to hear a full house shaking with laughter at their inspired dance antics’The Times

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david nixon’s

played live by the Northern Ballet Sinfonia. This Olivier Award nominated ballet will take you on a journey from the stylish elegance of the 1940s to a technicolour dreamworld where Puck’s magical mayhem weaves a tangled web of love.

Book now to see Northern Ballet cast their magic on Shakespeare’s fantastically funny play.

northernballet.com/midsummer

West Yorkshire PlayhouseFri 6 – Sat 14 SeptemberEvenings 7.30pm (no perf Sun & Mon)Matinees Thu & Sat 2pmBox Office 0113 213 7700wyp.org.uk£15 - £35

Newcastle Theatre RoyalTue 17 – Sat 21 SeptemberEvenings 7:30pmMatinees Thu 2pm & Sat 2.30pmBox Office 08448 11 21 21theatreroyal.co.ukFrom £10.50

Woking New Victoria TheatreTue 24 – Sat 28 SeptemberEvenings 7.30pmMatinees Thu & Sat 2.30pmBox Office 0844 871 7645atgtickets.com/woking£16 - £36

Nottingham Theatre RoyalTue 1 – Sat 5 OctoberEvenings 7:30pmMatinees Thu 2pm & Sat 2.30pmBox Office 0115 989 5555trch.co.uk£11 - £35

Audio Described performance available

Main image Kevin Poeung as Puck. Photo Jason Tozer.Above Keiko Amemori as Titania and Hironao Takahashi as Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Photo Merlin Hendy.

Christmas comes early this year as our heart-warming and hugely popular adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale returns to the stage.

Colourful sets and costumes by Olivier Award winning Lez Brotherston (Northern Ballet’s Romeo & Juliet, Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Edward Scissorhands) conjure up a traditional Victorian Christmas, while Carl Davis’ festive score blends classical music with traditional Christmas

Ebenezer Scrooge. A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner. One magical night. Three terrifying ghosts. A perfect tale for Christmas.

‘Unassailable magic, and the heartstrings are truly plucked’The Sunday Telegraph

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‘Enjoyable humbug with all the festive trimmings’The Times

Carols, played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia.

An audience favourite for over 20 years, A Christmas Carol is guaranteed to get your festive season off to a magical start. Book now.

northernballet.com/acc

Norwich Theatre RoyalWed 9 – Sat 12 OctoberEvenings 7:30pmMatinees Wed, Thu & Sat 2.30pmBox Office 01603 630 000theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk£6.50 - £36.50

Canterbury Marlowe TheatreTue 29 October – Sat 2 NovemberEvenings 7.30pmMatinees Thu & Sat 2.30pmBox Office 01227 787 787marlowetheatre.com£17 - £39.50

Sheffield Lyceum TheatreTue 5 – Sat 9 NovemberEvenings 7.45pmMatinees Thu 2pm & Sat 3pmBox Office 0114 249 6000sheffieldtheatres.co.uk£12 - £37

Bradford Alhambra TheatreWed 13 – Sat 16 NovemberEvenings 7:30pmMatinees Wed & Thu 2pm & Sat 2.30pmBox Office 01274 432000bradford-theatres.co.uk£12 - £32

Main image Darren Goldsmith as Scrooge. Photo Jason Tozer. Right Tobias Batley as Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol. Photo Bill Cooper.

Manchester Palace TheatreTue 19 – Sat 23 NovemberEvenings 7:30pmMatinees Thu & Sat 2.30pmBox Office 0844 871 3019atgtickets.com/manchester£12.50 - £40

Three little pigs set out into the world. The first pig decides to build a house of straw, the second a house made of sticks and the third pig chooses to build a house of bricks.

Then along comes a very hungry wolf. The wolf begs each little pig to invite him in for dinner. When they refuse he threatens to huff and puff and blow their houses down. Will any of the pigs be smart enough to escape the big bad wolf?

Bringing the timeless fairytale to life Three Little Pigs is the perfect opportunity to introduce your little ones to the magic of live ballet, music and theatre.

These child friendly performances will last approximately 40 minutes.

northernballet.com/threelittlepigs

Following the fantastic sell-out success of Ugly Duckling, we are delighted to announce our latest ballet especially for children, Three Little Pigs.

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Mon 28 October – Sat 2 November11am, 1pm & 3pm(Fri 1 November perfs 11:30am & 3pm)

Box Office 0113 220 8008northernballet.com/threelittlepigsAdults £5 & Children £4

The Hunslet ClubSun 20 October2.30pm, 4pm & 6pm

The Riley Theatre, ChapeltownSat 26 October2.30pm, 4pm & 6pm

Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre, Northern Ballet

Relaxed PerformanceThere will be a Relaxed Performance on Fri 1 November at 11.30am. It is aimed at anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed performance environment including people with an Autistic Spectrum Condition, Sensory or Communication Disorders, or a learning disability. For more information contact 0113 220 8008.

See Three Little Pigs in and around Leeds

Ugly Duckling is a delightful retelling of the famous Hans Christian Andersen fairytale.A poor duckling is lonely and fed-up, shunned by those around her who see her as too ugly to fit in. Follow the duckling on her journey as she overcomes her troubles and turns into a beautiful swan, beginning a happy life.

Make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to see this adorable production this autumn.

Play games and learn dance moves from Ugly Duckling atbbc.co.uk/cbeebies/ugly-duckling

northernballet.com/uglyduckling

Newcastle Theatre RoyalFri 20 September11am & 1pmBox Office 08448 11 21 21theatreroyal.co.uk

Ugly Duckling

Woking New Victoria TheatreFri 27 September11am & 1pmBox Office 0844 871 7645atgtickets.com/woking

Nottingham Theatre RoyalFri 4 October11am & 1pmBox Office 0115 989 5555trch.co.uk

Adults £5 & Children £4

Discover how you can support Northern Ballet. With your help we’ll be able to keep bringing great ballet to audiences like you.

Support Northern Ballet

From £30 you can sponsor the dancer of your choice and receive a letter and a signed picture. You’ll also be invited to a special sponsors’ event to meet our dancers in Leeds.

Sponsor a Dancer

Get closer to the Company, receive copies of our Friends’ magazine Inside and benefit from ticket discounts.

Become a Friend

Patrons of Northern Ballet enjoy all the benefits of Friends plus two tickets to the the première of a Northern Ballet production with an exclusive post-performance Company reception. You will also enjoy a backstage tour at a venue of your choice, a signed poster by the dancer of your choice and a free tour programme of each of our productions over the year.

Become a Patron

As a member of our Directors’ Circle you will help us to continue to build on our success. A series of exclusive events will give you an insight into our choreography, music, costume and set design, allowing you to develop a closer relationship with the dancers and creative team.

To find out more about these opportunities to support us visit northernballet.com/support or contact Fundraising on 0113 220 8000 or email fundraising@northernballet.com

Join our Directors’ Circle

Top right Ashley Dixon as the Beast and Martha Leebolt as Beauty in Beauty & the Beast. Above left Tobias Batley as Jay Gatsby and Martha Leebolt as Daisy in The Great Gatsby. Photos Bill Cooper. Right photo Lisa Stonehouse.

Along with seeing Northern Ballet on stage in theatres across the UK, there are many other opportunities to stay in touch with the Company throughout the year. Visit our award-winning home in Leeds to see our state-of-the-art facilities, join a dance class, watch a performance in the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre or relax in our café.

A venue like no other - we can transform our home into a conference, meeting or entertainment space tailored to meet your needs. Located in the centre of Leeds, our stunning glass-fronted building is easily accessible by rail or road, with nearby parking available.

For a tour of the building or information on rates and availability contact Judith Baker, Events Manager on 0113 220 8000 or emailjudith.baker@northernballet.com

Our Building

Whatever your age or ability Northern Ballet has a class for you. Develop your passion for dance with classes taught by fully trained and experienced dance professionals.

For more information about classes and details of how to join in visit northernballet.com/classes

Dance Classes

Northern Ballet celebrates birthdays in style with specially designed parties for all children who love to dance.

For more details please contact Judith Baker or visit northernballet.com/parties

Ballet Parties

13Come and visit us at home in Leeds

Left Northern Ballet dance class. Photo Martin Bell. Above Northern Ballet’s home. Photo Jonathan Taylor.

Friday 11 October, Friday 15 November & Friday 13 December

Enjoy enticing dining, courtesy of the highly acclaimed chef and 2011 MasterChef finalist Sara Danesin Medio. Guests will be served a special set menu in the exclusive surroundings of Northern Ballet’s top floor board room. The room seats just 22 guests, creating the ultimate intimate and personal dining experience.

Guests will enjoy amuse-bouche, starter, main course and pudding for £80.

To book please call the Box Office on 0113 220 8008 or visit northernballet.com/dinnerclub

Dinner Clubs

We look forward to welcoming you to our home soon!

Autumn 2013 highlights

Visit us at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre, Northern Ballet, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7PA

Northern Ballet, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7PA

An intimate studio theatre situated inside the stunning home of Northern Ballet with an eclectic programme of exciting dance, theatre, music and family shows.

• Ballet Black Mixed Programme• Northern Ballet Sinfonia Ensemble

Season• Tutti Frutti’s The Boy Who Cried Wolf• Company Chameleon Pictures We Make• 2Faced Dance Out Of His Skin• Northern Ballet’s Three Little Pigs

Book now theatreleeds.com0113 220 8008

Ballet Black

2Faced Dance

Tutti Frutti

6 – 14 September A Midsummer Night’s Dream Leeds West Yorkshire Playhouse

17 – 21 September A Midsummer Night’s Dream Newcastle Theatre Royal

20 September Ugly Duckling Newcastle Theatre Royal

24 – 28 September A Midsummer Night’s Dream Woking New Victoria Theatre

27 September Ugly Duckling Woking New Victoria Theatre

1 – 5 October A Midsummer Night’s Dream Nottingham Theatre Royal

4 October Ugly Ducking Nottingham Theatre Royal

9 – 12 October A Christmas Carol Norwich Theatre Royal

20 October Three Little Pigs Leeds The Hunslet Club

26 October Three Little Pigs Leeds The Riley Theatre

28 October – 2 November Three Little Pigs Leeds Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre

29 October – 2 November A Christmas Carol Canterbury Marlowe Theatre

5 – 9 November A Christmas Carol Sheffield Lyceum Theatre

13 – 16 November A Christmas Carol Bradford Alhambra Theatre

19 – 23 November A Christmas Carol Manchester Palace Theatre

16 December – 4 January Cinderella Leeds Grand Theatre

Northern Ballet autumn 2013 performances at a glance

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Northern Ballet dancers in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Photo Merlin Hendy.

Keep in touchJoin our keep in touch service and you’ll receive regular news and updates, as well as special offers, ticket alerts, competitions and behind-the-scenes photos and footage.Sign up at northernballet.com/keepintouch

Registered charity no 259140 Company registration no 947096 VAT no 146630766. All prices quoted are inclusive of VAT at the current rate. Tickets may be subject to a booking fee. Northern Ballet Theatre Ltd trading as Northern Ballet. Registered in England and Wales. Company limited by guarantee and share capital. The information contained in this leaflet is correct at the time of printing. Northern Ballet reserves the right to make alterations where necessary without prior notice.

Brochure design by Dulay Seymour

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Northern Ballet, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7PATel 0113 220 8000info@northernballet.com