Northern Ballet dance back to Leeds Playhouse

After seven months away from the stage Northern Ballet are back with two shows at Leeds Playhouse.

The Leeds based company will perform three different hour-long mixed programmes from 21^st – 24^th October followed by four full-length performances of Artistic Director David Nixon’s Dangerous Liaisons last performed a decade ago from 28^th – 31^st October.

Government guidelines now permitting indoor performances with socially distanced audiences so working with Leeds Playhouse the team have been able to establish a viable programme to get performing again.

With the exception of Contemporary Cuts, all performances will include live music played by members of Northern Ballet Sinfonia. All performances will be performed in full costume but ‘black box style’ without sets.

The first of the mixed repertoire shows will be Iconic Classics on 21^st October including excerpts from ballet classics including Don Quixote, Swan Lake, Le Corsaire and Giselle.

That will be followed by A Celebration of Artistic Director David Nixon OBE on 22^nd October celebrating 20 years of his creations for the Company including excerpts from The Great Gatsby, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Little Mermaid. The final mixed programme, Contemporary Cuts will be performed on 23^rd and 24^th October, including excerpts from 1984, I Got Rhythm and a new work by Northern Ballet Choreographer in Residence Kenneth Tindall.

The next weekend Nixon restages his bold version of Dangerous Liaisons, inspired by the original scandalous novel and acclaimed Hollywood retellings, and danced to Vivaldi’s rousing The Four Seasons.

“It is vital for our dancers to be able to return to performing and we feel fortunate that they are now able to do so,” says David Nixon. “We recognise the challenges faced by our industry in ensuring the safety of staff and patrons and the financial viability of holding performances with reduced socially distanced audiences.

“So many arts organisations are still fighting for their existence and countless people have been made redundant. We hope that successfully holding our performances will contribute to setting a path for the curtain to lift on more live performance across the UK.”

In line with current government guidelines, audiences will be of limited capacity with social distancing and temperature checks in place. Audiences are also required to wear face coverings at all times. Ticket holders will be notified of these measures in advance

Tickets go on general sale on Tuesday 29^th September. To book visit www.leedsplayhouse.org.uk  Dangerous Liaisons age guidance 12+