ART OF MOVEMENT

Leeds is home to some world class culture that both entertains the city and exports across the globe. Exceptional organisations have gained the finest reputations in their field that attract the best talent here and produce amazing art. Leading the way are proud Leeds residents Northern Ballet, who have grown for over 50 years into an iconic dance company in their industry and in their city. Jessica Forrest tells us how Northern Ballet got here.

Northern Ballet began its life as Northern Dance Theatre and gave its first performance at the University Theatre, Manchester in 1969. Established by Canadian choreographer Laverne Meyer, the Company has since gone on to carve out a national and international reputation of creating world class ballet here in the North and bringing it to audiences across the UK and beyond.

The Company began with 11 dancers and an emphasis on small-scale classical and modern works, thriving due to its inventiveness, hard work and sheer determination.

Over the years the Company has been led by a number of industry titans including Robert de Warren, Christopher Gable, Stefano Gianetti and David Nixon CBE. Each grew the Company in size and scope as well as shaping its unique specialty of emotional and dramatic narrative ballet that is accessible to all.

In 2010 as well as changing its name to ‘Northern Ballet’ as we know it today, the Company moved to new purposebuilt facilities in Leeds’ Quarry Hill, which also houses the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre, a 230 seat theatre that plays host to a diverse range of smallscale dance works.

Outside of their productions, Northern Ballet creates work for the small and large screen, boasts a professional training academy and an extensive program of school and community outreach work, as well as hosting open and inclusive dance classes.

In the last year the Company have welcomed former Royal Ballet Principal Federico Bonelli as Artistic Director as well as appointing a new Executive Director David Collins (formerly of Opera North) promising a new era for the northern cultural powerhouse.

See Northern Ballet in action this month as their ballet The Great Gatsby celebrates its 10-year anniversary at Leeds Grand Theatre from the 8-18 March.