Northern Ballet announces Spring 2012 tour

December 23, 2011

Northern Ballet announces Spring 2012 tour

Hannah Bateman as La Fée Luminiaire Photograph :Bill Cooper

Northern Ballet will be bringing fairytale magic, Japanese beauty and the roaring twenties to theatres across the UK this Spring.

The spring tour will open with Perpetual Motion, the Company’s first programme of short dance pieces in their new home, at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre in Leeds from 9 – 18 February. This will be followed by Madame Butterfly at the Leeds Grand Theatre from 29 February to 10 March. Beauty & the Beast, which premièred in Leeds this Christmas, will then be touring the UK with dates at Edinburgh Festival Theatre (15 – 17 March), Sheffield Lyceum Theatre (20 – 24 March), Hull New Theatre (27 – 31 March), Milton Keynes Theatre (17 – 21 April) and Cardiff New Theatre (24 – 28 April). I Got Rhythm is at the Leeds Grand Theatre from 23 – 26 May and at Norwich Theatre Royal 29 May – 2 June.

Kenneth Tindall as the Prince in Beauty & the Beast Photograph : Bill Cooper

Perpetual Motion will feature a mixture of work from both new and established choreographers including Northern Ballet Premier Dancer Kenneth Tindall’s debut piece, Project#1. This moving and accomplished piece is set to Dinah Washington and Maz Richter’s stirring ‘This bitter earth – on the nature of daylight’. Perpetuum Mobile from Scottish Ballet’s new Artistic Director Christopher Hampson shows off dancers’ strength with spins, jumps and beats taking Bach’s Violin Concerto in E Major as its inspiration. Northern Ballet’s Ballet master Daniel de Andrade has choreographed Glass Canon, a high-energy mischievous piece, set to the music of Moishe’s Bagel. Audiences will also get a sneak preview of I Got Rhythm with a performance of ‘Rhapsody in Blue’.

There will have another chance to see Artistic Director David Nixon’s debut work for the Company, Madame Butterfly, at Leeds Grand Theatre between 29 February and 10 March. Innocence, love and betrayal unfold in the picturesque gardens of a Japanese villa, when Butterfly is deserted by handsome American, Lieutenant Pinkerton. East meets west in this tragic tale, which blends classical ballet with Japanese-style dancing and Puccini’s beautiful score, played live by the Northern Ballet Sinfonia, is interspersed with traditional Japanese music.

Ayana Kanda as Butterfly and John Hull as Pinkerton in Northern Ballet’s Madame Butterfly. Photo by Jason Tozer

Ayana Kanda as Butterfly and John Hull as Pinkerton in Northern Ballet’s Madame Butterfly. Photograph : Jason Tozer

Following a successful world premier this Christmas at Leeds Grand Theatre, Beauty & the Beast, is doing a five venue tour this Spring. Beauty & the Beast tells the story of a young prince who is magically transformed into a beast and cursed to live alone in his castle until the enchantment is broken by the sacrifice of true love. Audiences will be transported into an enchanting world of colour, inhabited by fairies, goblins and sprites, with an elaborate mirrored set from Duncan Hayler and haute couture-style costumes designed by David Nixon. The show will be accompanied by an infectious score from Saint-Säens, Bizet, Debussy and Glazunov, played live by the Northern Ballet Sinfonia.

I Got Rhythm will transport audiences back to the Roaring Twenties and a heady whirl of parties, champagne and dancing. Ballet meets jazz in this production which celebrates Gershwin’s America. ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ and ‘Summertime’ capture the romantic, soulful mood of a bygone era whilst ‘Girl Crazy’ and ‘I Got Rhythm’ create the excitement of a big Broadway musical. The Northern Ballet Sinfonia performs ‘big band’ style on stage and are accompanied by guest singers.

Northern Ballet is renowned for its full-length narrative productions which embrace popular culture and take inspiration from literature, opera, or give a unique interpretation of classical ballets. The Leeds-based company is committed to touring throughout the UK and overseas, developing new audiences for dance. It has carved a unique place in the UK’s cultural landscape and was voted Britain’s favourite ballet company for three consecutive years at the National Dance Awards.

Tour Listings

Perpetual Motion

Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre

Thu 9 – Sat 18 February

Box Office: 0113 220 8008

Book Online at Northern Ballet’s website

Madame Butterfly

Leeds Grand Theatre

Wed 29 February – Sat 10 March

Box Office: 0844 8482701

Production credits

Choreography and Design Concept: David Nixon