Northern Ballet's new triple-bill will première in Leeds next month

Northern Ballet’s sell-out series Three Short Ballets is returning to Leeds next month with a new programme of pieces, including two world premières and one northern première.

Running from 6-14 September at Northern Ballet’s own Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre in Quarry Hill, the mixed-bill has become a staple of the Company’s repertoire since 2018, each year creating a new programme of short ballets that invite new choreographic voices to make their mark and challenge the boundaries of classical ballet. The production is ideal for long-time ballet fans and newcomers, offering a varied experience of bite-size ballets with something for everyone.

Opening the programme will be the world première of Victory Dance by Kristen McNally, Choreographer and Principal Character Artist at The Royal Ballet. This new ballet will see McNally work with two Northern Ballet dancers and Joe Powell-Main, an exceptional disabled dancer who uses wheels and crutches. McNally and Powell-Main previously worked together on Sleepwalker for The Royal Ballet and will be expanding their exploration of fusing ballet and inclusive dance. 

The second piece in the line-up is contemporary classic Four Last Songs, choreographed by Rudi van Dantzig. Created in 1977 by the then Artistic Director of Dutch National Ballet, Four Last Songs is a breathtaking expression of love, loss, and the beauty of the human experience. Performed to Richard Strauss’ composition of the same name, the ballet consists of four duets, each performed to one of the four songs. The piece’s dramatic jumps, intimate lifts and fleet-footed movement make it a classic of modern ballet.

The final piece and second world première will be an original work from Olivier-award winning Mthuthuzeli November titled Fools. Inspired by R.L. Peteni's South African novel Hill of Fools, the ballet will tell a tale of bitter rivalry between two villages. Known for his unique fusion of dance styles, November's third collaboration with Northern Ballet promises a heart-pounding electric experience, complementing the extraordinary talents of the Company's dancers.

Northern Ballet are also offering an exclusive under 30s performance of the ballet for young people in Leeds. The event will allow ticket holders to enjoy an exciting evening of world-class ballet for only £10.25 per person, including a drink on arrival and a complimentary programme. The Company regularly host under 30s events when their productions perform in Leeds as a way to offer affordable nights out for young people in the city, supporting the Company’s ongoing mission to make ballet accessible to all.

Three Short Ballets will première at Leeds Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre on the 6 September.

Tickets are now on sale and are available to book at northernballet.com/theatre/three-short-ballets