Opera North's Susanna
Opera North has collaborated with Phoenix Dance on four previous opera productions. Each of these has been a delight, but this performance of Handel's Susanna has been my favourite. There's something perfectly operatic about adding another art form into an already dazzling display of orchestral music, singing, acting, costume design, set design, sound, lighting...
Founder Of Leeds Dance Studio Celebrates After Reaching The National Finals Of The Prestigious Woman WHO Awards
Katie Geddes, Founder of The Dance Studio Leeds, who champions the benefits of dance for mental health and wellbeing, is celebrating after reaching the finals of the Woman Who Solopreneur Awards 2025. Katie Geddes has been supporting the local dance community for the last 16 years, sharing her passion for dance and the positive impact it has for both body and mind.
Riverdance Principal Dancers Anna-Mai Fitzpatrick And Fergus Fitzpatrick In Conversation
Since Riverdance first emerged onto the world stage, its fusion of Irish and international dance and music has captured the hearts of millions worldwide. The Grammy Award-winning music and the infectious energy of its mesmerising choreography and breathtaking performances have left audiences in awe and established Riverdance as a global cultural sensation.
Contemporary Dance With Verve
I have to confess that I love and adore contemporary dance. Not all of it of course, but as a grand sweeping statement then I find that it is my favourite art form. What a treat is was then to be invited to see the last date of VERVE - the international touring dance company of Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD) - as they complete their latest tour at the Leeds Playhouse.
Northern Ballet presents Sketches: Past, Present, Future
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Following sell-out performances in 2024, Northern Ballet’s choreographic platform, Sketches, is returning to Leeds with a compelling programme that weaves together new works and a classic piece of ballet repertoire. Devised by Artistic Director Federico Bonelli, Sketches offers emerging choreographers a platform to workshop, create, and present new and innovative works.
Northern Ballet Wins Dance Prize For Gentleman Jack
In October 2024 Northern Ballet announced the creation of a major new full-length ballet based on the extraordinary life of 19th century icon Anne Lister, or ‘Gentleman Jack’, the historical Yorkshire figure often referred to as ‘the first modern lesbian’ whose decoded diaries have captivated audiences around the world.
Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure For Kids
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I went to the theatre with a little trepidation, unsure what to expect from the world’s first ever World Looping Champion but I came away having not only having had my first lesson in beatboxing but also the history of the artform, lessons in tolerance for one another, and to follow your dreams.
A South Asian Dragon With Fire In Its Belly
You have just tonight (Saturday) to see what I can honestly say is one of the best dance productions I have had the pleasure to witness in more than a decade. Few things stick out in your mind when you see something like six shows a month, but the magnificent Eun-Me Ahn Dance Company will stay with me for a long time to come, as will its equally amazing ‘Dragons’.
Jane Eyre A Bold Move
Taking on any classic novel for interpretation into a narrative ballet strikes me as a bold move. With well-loved texts comes an audience with strong opinions on characters and themes making them potentially hyper-critical of another person’s vision of the story.
Verve A Journey Of Incredible Movement
Neither of us had any real experience of contemporary dance on arrival for Northern School of Contemporary Dance’s tour of Verve at Harrogate theatre. Little did we know what a treat we were in for! Sixteen dancers, three different shows with three different choreographers.
The Return Of The Legends
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James Jordan Last year’s Legends tour was a life-changing experience, reigniting a passion for dance I thought was lost. The energy, artistry, and camaraderie reminded me why I fell in love with dance. I’m deeply grateful to the exceptional team and talent behind it.
Dominquie Larose Chats About Her Role As Jane Eyre In Northern Ballet's Forthcoming Production
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Concluding our three short interviews we hear from Dominquie Larose as Jane Eyre on how she is preparing for the performances of Jane Eyre and what she most enjoys about performing in Northern Ballet’s home city of Leeds.
Joseph Taylor Discusses His Role As Mr Rochester In Northern Ballet's Jane Eyre
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In the second of our three short interviews we hear from Joseph Taylor as Mr Rochester on how he is preparing for the performances of Jane Eyre and what he most enjoys about performing in Northern Ballet’s home city of Leeds.
Amber Lewis Discusses Her Role As Bertha In Northern Ballet's Jane Eyre
In the first of three short interviews we hear from Northern Ballet dancers who speak on how they go about their preparation leading up to the performances and what they most enjoy about performing in Northern Ballet’s home city of Leeds.
Two Days Of Magical Ballet The Nutcracker & Swan Lake
On Sunday, 12th January, at the Grand Opera House, York, we all lost ourselves in the enchanting fairytale written by E.T.A. Hoffman, of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince, a delightful post-Christmas treat for all the family presented by Mergaliyev Classical Ballet. Since its debut in Russia in 1892, the ballet has continued to captivate audiences.
A Christmas Carol With Bells On
Dicken's frequently gritty tales of Victorian England are replaced with a straightforward tale of morality in the 'oh so well-known' A Christmas Carol. The scene is set with the distant sounds of carriages, horses hooves clip-clopping, and projected images of snow falling, all accompanied by the joyous babble of dozens of schoolchildren.
Northern Ballet’s Revival Of A Christmas Carol
With just weeks to go until Northern Ballet’s critically acclaimed revival of A Christmas Carol comes to Leeds Grand Theatre, the city’s next generation of ballet dancers have been getting a festive flavour of what it will be like to perform as part of this magical production next month.
The Delightful Tashi Lhunpo Monks
For the past twenty years a delegation of monks from one of the four major monasteries of the Gelugpa (or Yellow Hat) tradition, Tashi Lhunpo, in the south of India travels to the UK. The first Dalai Lama founded the monastery in 1447, and the group is renowned for its scholarship in Mahayana Buddhist philosophy and the tantric tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
Leeds Civic Trust Unveiling 200th Blue Plaque To Honour Visionary Dance Teacher And Educationist, Nadine Senior MBE
Leeds Civic Trust is celebrating a significant milestone by unveiling its 200th blue plaque in honour of the esteemed dance educator Nadine Senior MBE. The blue plaque will highlight Senior's lasting influence on the world of dance and education, particularly in Leeds, where her work transformed the arts landscape.
Northern Ballet - Three Short Ballets
With Northern Ballet’s Three Short Ballets series, the audience is treated to an evening of dance that incorporates a broad range of styles. Arriving late to the theatre, I had no time to read the programme before the first half, meaning that I had no idea what to expect. I usually prefer to be a bit better-informed before a performance, but going in completely clueless has its benefits.
London City Ballet: Resurgence
It's time for Resurgence. Such an appropriate name for the new tour of the former resident dance company of Sadler’s Wells, London City Ballet, after a 30 year 'rest'. Famously patronised by Diana, Princess of Wales, the original company closed its doors in 1996.
Chatting With Strictly Come Dancing's Karen Hauer
Karen Hauer is Strictly Come Dancing's longest-standing professional, having spent 12 series on the iconic show. She has partnered with celebrities including Westlife's Nicky Byrne, The ‘Hairy Biker’ Dave Myers, Mark Wright, Jeremy Vine, Chris Ramsey, and Jamie Laing.
Eternity - The Most Spectacular Ice Show In The World
It’s easy to see why the Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort’s Hot Ice show is described as ‘The Most Spectacular Ice Show in the World’. This year’s production Eternity combines sport and theatre and showcases the best in class talent with high-tech special effects, nail-biting stunts and mesmerising hand-made costume. As the light go down in the Ice Arena there’s an air of anticipation.
Rhythm of the dance...25th Anniversary Global tour 2024...
Rhythm of the Dance will undertake a Global tour in 2024 to celebrate its “25th Anniversary of touring the world” in 47 countries.
Reviving Her: A Powerful New Dance-Theatre Show About Young, Northern Female Empowerment And Identity
Multi-disciplinary performance company Northern Rascals are bringing their powerful new dance-theatre show, REVIVING HER, to Halifax’s Square Chapel Arts Centre this July. The company impressively combines theatre and dance to explore themes of safety, identity and empowerment in Northern women.
Newcastle Dance Company BalletLORENT Invites Audiences Into Its Home
A Newcastle dance company is inviting audiences right into its 'nerve centre' for a series of unforgettable and intimate performances in an unlikely location. balletLORENT is opening up its studio space in Newcastle's west end to the public, launching the city's newest performance venue with a show called The Becoming on Thursday 11-Saturday 13 July 2024.
The Beauty, The Beast And Northern Ballet
Choreographed by David Nixon CBE, Northern Ballet's Beauty and the Beast is a delightful re-imagining of the classic fairy tale story in a world suffused with vibrant colours and populated with fairies, goblins and sprites. A world where magic hides around every corner.
Verve Living Up To Its Name
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Verve is the Northern School of Contemporary Dance's post-graduate touring dance company. The company's dancers are all current NSCD MA students on the verge of their careers as professional artists, and their talent is formidable, as you'd expect from one of the country's leading dance schools.
Shifting Perspectives: A Symposium Of Inclusive Dance Practice In Leeds
A brand new dance company launches in Leeds, created to break down barriers and nurture a dance culture where everyone feels recognised. Unbound Dance Theatre launches with a special symposium event Shifting Perspectives at Yorkshire Dance Leeds on Friday 26 April.
Northern Ballet Announces Triple-Bill Of Short Works
Northern Ballet will open its autumn 2024 season with Three Short Ballets a triple-bill featuring two world premières and a Northern première. The trio of works will be performed in Leeds at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre from the 6-14 September and in London in early 2025.