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Home , Ballet Ireland, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Dangerous Liaisons, English National Ballet, Freed of London, Hamburg Ballet

DANGEROUS LIAISONS A BY DAVID NIXON OBE

Salford The Lowry | Sadler’s Wells 1 – 10 June 2021 Dear audiences, we heartily welcome you back to our tour. As I write this, following one of the most challenging years our industry has ever faced, there is a palpable sense of optimism and excitement that the light is finally at the end of the tunnel and better days are just around the corner. Indeed, it feels like a victory to be writing this note knowing it will be read by audiences attending our first tour since autumn 2019. Through the darkest days of lockdown, at we have found opportunities to let our creativity shine a light. Without the tour demanding most of our time and resources, our programme of digital films has grown exponentially in unexpected and wonderful ways. However, performing live in front of an audience is in our blood; at the very core of why we do the job we do. We are still limited in terms of the productions we are able to rehearse and perform whilst adhering to the safety measures we have in place Welcome to protect our company. In Salford and London, we will perform an adapted version of which was a big success when we were able to revive it for a brief number of performances at Playhouse in October 2020. Contemporary Cuts 2021, which David Nixon OBE will be performed in London only, is a fantastic programme of our Artistic Director most popular contemporary short works and excerpts from full-length productions. This programme includes Kenneth Tindall’s States of Mind which was our first stage production to be created entirely during lockdown. Finally, we return to Leeds Grand Theatre, one of our home venues, with our unique interpretation of . Although the tour this season will only reach three venues, we are just thrilled that even this short tour has been possible. We have bigger plans afoot for another tour later in 2021 that will see us return to more towns and cities that we have missed visiting a great deal. I do hope that circumstances for us all will continue to improve in the coming weeks and months. Once again, I would like to thank each and every one of our supporters, audience members, staff and freelancers for all you have done over this difficult period. Continue to stay safe everyone. Enjoy these performances and we will be back again soon.

David Nixon OBE. Photo Simon Lawson. 2 Cover: Joseph Taylor and Antoinette Brooks-Daw in Dangerous Liaisons. Photo Emma Kauldhar. & Costume Design David Nixon OBE DANGEROUS Story Pierre Choderlos de Laclos LIAISONS Music Lighting Design Alastair West

Production Audio Description supported by supported by

Filippo Di Vilio and Rachael Gillespie in Dangerous Liaisons. Photo Emma Kauldhar. 3 Creative Team

David Nixon OBE CHOREOGRAPHY & COSTUME DESIGN

See page 13.

Pierre Choderlos de Laclos Alastair West Antonio Vivaldi STORY LIGHTING DESIGN MUSIC

Born in , in 1760, Alastair graduated from Bretton Hall Antonio Vivaldi was born in Venice in Pierre Choderlos de Laclos studied in 2004 with a degree in Performance 1678. He composed a huge collection at university before serving in the Design and Production, having of works during his life, including army for much of his life. He began specialised in Lighting Design. more than forty and his writing during his time in the military He is currently Head of Lighting best-known composition, a series of and Les Liasons Dangereuses for Northern Ballet where he has violin concertos The Four Seasons. (Dangerous Liaisons) was published designed for multiple full-length Regarded today as one of the greatest in four volumes in 1782 becoming a and short works for the Company composers of all time, Vivaldi died in widespread success and has since including most recently Geisha. in 1741. been adapted many times for TV, film, theatre and .

Music played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia Music Director Jonathan Lo (See pages 20 & 21)

For full biographies visit northernballet.com/dangerous-liaisons 4 Abigail Prudames in Dangerous Liaisons. Photo Emma Kauldhar. 5 The Story

In 18th century France, passions run high All eventually goes to plan. Valmont agrees to amongst the wealthy elite. The Marquise de deliver letters secretly between Danceny and Merteuil is simmering from a previous affair Cécile but uses it as an opportunity to seduce with Gercourt, who left her for another woman. Cécile. Madame de Tourvel succumbs to She enlists her former lover Valmont to enact Valmont’s charms and falls madly in love with her revenge. The Marquise unveils her plan for him, becoming his lover despite her principles. Valmont to seduce Gercourt’s virginal fiancée Finally, the Marquise takes Danceny as the latest Cécile de Volanges but Valmont takes this as an in her string of amusements and pleasures. insult to his talents and refuses. He has already However, when the Marquise receives Valmont’s set his sights upon the happily married and triumphant letter describing his lovemaking and virtuous Madame de Tourvel. feelings for Madame de Tourvel, she becomes The Marquise offers Valmont a wager; seduce inflamed with jealousy. Coming to collect his Madame de Tourvel and he will be rewarded reward, the Marquise mocks Valmont for being with a night of pleasure with the Marquise in love, telling him his only chance of claiming herself. Her only condition is that he must her as his prize, is to give up Madame de Tourvel. present proof of his accomplishment in a Giving into his pride, Valmont breaks off his written letter. Valmont accepts the challenge relationship with Madame de Tourvel, knowing it with relish. will destroy her. In an emotional rage he returns While Valmont heads to his aunt’s country estate to the Marquise to demand his reward and in pursuit of Madame de Tourvel, the Marquise discovers Danceny is her new lover. Valmont devises another plan and introduces Cécile convinces Danceny to return to his true love to the young and dashing Chevalier Danceny. Cécile but still, an outraged Marquise refuses Neither plan bears fruit: Danceny proves to be to give Valmont the reward she promised and all poetry and no action, whilst Madame de instead declares war upon him. Tourvel is resistant to Valmont’s charms. The Marquise reveals to Danceny what Valmont The Marquise decides a shake-up is necessary has done to Cécile. In a fit of rage, Danceny and sneakily informs Cécile’s mother of the challenges Valmont to a duel. Emotionally tired letters Danceny has been writing to her and in realisation of the evils of his life, Valmont daughter. Shocked, Madame de Volanges sends allows himself to be killed but, before dying, Danceny away and, following the Marquise’s gives Danceny the Marquise’s correspondence. advice, takes Cécile to visit Valmont’s aunt in Now understanding the truth of the matter, the country. Valmont agrees to deliver letters Danceny seeks advice from Valmont’s aunt secretly between Danceny and Cécile, giving and chooses to reveal a few of the letters. The him an opportunity to return to the country Marquise becomes an outcast and, totally where he continues his pursuit of Madame de humiliated, retires from public life. Tourvel.

6 Marquise de Merteuil

An aristocratic woman who takes pleasure in seduction and toying with the love of others. Manipulative and prone to jealousy, she plots revenge but becomes a victim of her own game. Characters

Vicomte de Valmont

The Marquise’s former lover who shares her enjoyment of games of passion. He falls uncharacteristically in love with Madame de Tourvel before committing an act of betrayal which leads to his downfall.

Cécile de Volanges

Young and naïve, Cécile unknowingly becomes the subject of a plot by the Marquise to exact revenge on her former lover Gercourt, who left the Marquise for Cécile.

Madame de Tourvel

A happily married and God-fearing woman. She finds herself the unwelcome focus of Valmont’s plans of seduction but the pair awaken unexpected feelings in one another.

Chevalier Danceny

Introduced to Cécile by the Marquise, he courts Cécile’s affections through poetry and letters much to the disappointment of the Marquise who later seduces him for her own lover.

Photos Emma Kauldhar. 7 Jonathan Lo A Note on the Music Music Director

Antonio Vivaldi - the mere mention of the name What has always been well-known was that perhaps already conjuring strains of The Four Vivaldi was one of the leading violinists in Seasons. Astonishing to think then that until . The German merchant Johann von around the 1950s, the composer known as il Uffenbach, who met the composer and heard Prete Rosso (the ‘red priest’, for he was ordained him play on several occasions, wrote in his and had striking red hair) was little more than travel diary that ‘Vivaldi played a cadenza which a curiosity, a footnote in music history most really frightened me, for such playing has never often mentioned in the biographies of J. S. been nor can be’. Furthermore, he was also an Bach, who arranged the Venetian’s music as a excellent director of music and orchestra, as is ‘form of instruction’. Thanks to the incredible evident from his work as ‘Maestro di Concerti’ energies of the Italian musical institutions and at the all-girls orphanage, the famous Ospedale the period instrument movement, and sparked della Pietá. The French aristocrat and writer by the discovery of 90% of his music in the Charles de Brosses ranked the orchestra at the Turin Manuscripts from a monastery in Northern Pietá to be better than the one at , Italy, the past 70 years have seen a re-discovery noting in particular their expressive quality, of Vivaldi, with new scores and fresh studies how ‘they not only play forte, or piano, but inspiring new performances and interpretations. fortissimo and pianissimo, and every nuance between’. He also recorded the setting in which Despite being known primarily for his nearly they performed, with the orchestra in the dark 500 concertos, one of the striking aspects of behind church grates and veils, candles casting the emerging picture of Vivaldi is how much of a sensational shadows from the ladies’ – and man of the theatre he was. Venice had become Vivaldi’s – flowing locks and robes, a sight that the European capital of cultural tourism by would have been particularly provocative for the late 17th century, with opera a particularly early 18th century sensibilities. important attraction. Both Vivaldi and his father, the barber-turned-professional violinist It is with this sense of the theatrical and a touch Giovanni Battista, worked as impresarios who of the devilish rock-star flair that we should put on operas during the fêted ‘seasons’ in the approach Vivaldi’s music, which makes it the city. Antonio was successful enough that he perfect accompaniment to David Nixon’s ballet; was asked to write the centre piece opera for where the suffocating heat of Vivaldi’s Summer the 1716 Carnival season. He claimed to have becomes the tense atmosphere in the pas de written nearly 100 operas (even though only deux between Valmont and Cécile, the turbulent half that number have been discovered), and north-wind becoming the tempestuous struggle clearly prided himself as an opera composer, between them. The ballet also draws out the understandably so given the lucrative and operatic in Vivaldi’s music: take the pas de deux cultural significance associated with the art between Valmont and Madame de Tourvel near form. Set against the light of the operatic the start of Act Two, one could almost hear conventions, where music serves to evoke every aching syllable as the solo cello becomes the pictorial and to arouse high emotions the voice of Valmont in this expressive aria. This and drama, Vivaldi’s seemingly revolutionary is Romantic music in every sense of that word. programmatic musical content in his concertos becomes an almost inevitable result of his theatrical aesthetics.

8 Joseph Taylor and Antoinette Brooks-Daw in Dangerous Liaisons. Photo Emma Kauldhar. 9 Wardrobe Technical

Head of Production Production Kim Brassley Steve Wilkins Wardrobe Manager credits Wardrobe Company Mikhaila Pye Emily Deller Supervisor Manager

Julie Anderson Production Assisted by Lyndsey Holmes Carley Marsh Stage Manager

Production Donna Hardcastle Deputy Stage Chun-Yen Chia Ellie Kemp With help from Manager Holly Prescott Roxanne Major Assistant Stage Sandrine Enryd Manager / Carlsson Hair, Make- Book Cover Up & Wigs Harriet Rogers Supervisor Production Róisín Dullard Electrician

Pointe shoes by Lighting Abbi Fearnley Programmer

Production Kevin Heap Sound Engineer

Ali Allen & Chandeliers Northern Ballet Electrics

Northern Props Ballet Stage Management

Lighting Hawthorn Equipment

Logistics Stagefreight

10 Joseph Taylor and Sarah Chun in Dangerous Liaisons. Photo Emma Kauldhar. 11 WORLD PREMIÈRE

A BALLET BY DREW MCONIE Music by Grant Olding

Nottingham Norwich Leeds Theatre Royal Theatre Royal Grand Theatre 25 Sep – 2 Oct 19 – 23 Oct 9 – 20 Nov Hull Sheffield Southampton New Theatre Lyceum Theatre Mayflower Theatre 12 - 16 Oct 2 – 6 Nov 2 – 4 Dec

BOOK NOW NORTHERNBALLET.COM/MERLIN

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12 Artistic Director David Nixon OBE

David Nixon has been Artistic Director of The Three Musketeers (winner of MEN Award Northern Ballet since 2001. and nominated for an Olivier Award); A Sleeping Beauty Tale; ; ; David trained as a dancer, first in his hometown Cleopatra; Beauty & the Beast; The Great Gatsby of Chatham, Ontario and then at the National (nominated for a Critics’ Circle National Dance Ballet School of Canada where his training Award and UK Theatre Award); began in earnest. It was during his time there (nominated for a Theatre Award); that he first became interested in choreography, The Little Mermaid (winner of a BroadwayWorld helping to revive a choreographic workshop UK Award); and several short works. His with the approval of school director Betty adaptation of Dracula became Northern Ballet’s Oliphant. After further training in Europe he first performance to be broadcast live in returned to Canada to train with and cinemas on Halloween 2019. the great Russian teacher, Eugene Valukin. David’s productions have been staged David’s career began at the National Ballet of worldwide including Europe, Canada, the USA Canada where he progressed rapidly through and South Africa. Most recently he reproduced the ranks to become a , dancing The Great Gatsby for in lead roles in the classical and contemporary 2017. repertoire. In 1985 he joined the Deutsche Oper Ballet in Berlin as Principal Dancer where he won In 2020, David’s choreography featured on the Critics’ Award for Best Male Performance primetime television on BBC One’s The Greatest (1987) and continued to increase his own Dancer. choreographic output. This included producing David was voted Director of the Year by readers and directing the successful mixed programme, of Dance Europe in 2003 and 2006, and in David Nixon’s Liaisons, at the Hebbel Theatre, 2018 was awarded the Ken McCarter Award for Berlin in 1990. Distinguished National Ballet School Alumni by David left Berlin for a series of Principal Guest Canada’s National Ballet School. Artist positions with National Ballet of Canada, Under his directorship Northern Ballet has also Bayerisches Staatsballett, and Royal won several awards: Critics’ Circle National Winnipeg Ballet before returning to Deutsche Dance Awards (Audience Award) 2004, 2005 Opera Ballet in 1994 as First . His and 2006; Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards Guest Artist credits also include: (Patron’s Award) 2009; Taglioni European Royal Ballet; Komische Oper; Deutsche Ballet Awards (Best Company) 2014; South Staatsoper; Ballet; and Sydney City Bank Sky Arts Awards (Dance Award) 2016 for Ballet. 1984 and 2020 for Victoria; UK Theatre Awards In 1994 David became Artistic Director of (Achievement in Dance) 2018. Northern Ballet BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio, USA. During his has also been nominated for many prestigious six years with the Company, he added 16 world awards: South Bank Sky Arts Awards (Dance and 15 company premières to the repertoire. Award 2017) for Jane Eyre; UK Theatre Awards (Achievement in Dance) 2016; and the Critics’ Since joining Northern Ballet, David has Circle National Dance Awards (Outstanding added an impressive array of new works to Company) 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 the repertoire including: Madame Butterfly and 2020. (nominated for an MEN Award); Wuthering Heights; I Got Rhythm; Swan Lake; A Midsummer In January 2010 David was awarded an OBE for Night’s Dream (nominated for an Olivier his services to dance in The Queen’s New Year Award and MEN Award); Peter Pan; Dracula; Honours List.

13 The Dancers - Our Collaborative Artists

Miki Akuta Sean Bates Harris Beattie JUNIOR SOLOIST FIRST SOLOIST DANCER

Miki is from Fukuoka in and Sean is from Milton Keynes. He trained Harris trained at Danscentre in joined Northern Ballet in 2014. She at School and joined Aberdeen and . trained at Kazuko Sugihara Ballet Art in Northern Ballet in 2012. In 2017 he won the Gold Medal at the Japan and Académie Princesse Grace Genée Competition. Sponsor Clive & Virginia Lloyd in Monte Carlo. He previously performed with Ballet Central and joined Northern Ballet in 2018. Sponsor Christine & Peter Farmer

Helen Bogatch Alessandra Bramante Wesley Branch DANCER DANCER DANCER

Helen is from Tallinn. She trained at Alessandra is from Siracusa, Italy. She Wesley was born and raised in East Tallinn Ballet School and later danced trained with the ASDC Dietro le Quinte London. He trained at Tring Park with Estonian National Ballet. She joined in Catania, Il Balletto di Castelfranco School for the Performing Arts and Northern Ballet in 2018. Veneto and the School School. Past in . She joined Northern Ballet performance experience includes Sponsor Kate & Andrew Fisher in 2019. works by Kenneth MacMillan, Didy Veldman and . He joined Northern Ballet in 2019.

Antoinette Brooks-Daw Sarah Chun Filippo Di Vilio PREMIER DANCER FIRST SOLOIST JUNIOR SOLOIST

Antoinette is from Somerset and joined Sarah is from Chicago, Illinois and Filippo is from Vinci in Italy and joined Northern Ballet in 2008. She trained at trained at the Faubourg School of Ballet Northern Ballet in 2014. He trained at The Trull School of Dancing in Taunton and The Academy of Teatro alla Scala Ballet School in Milan, and was a Junior Associate of The Chicago. She previously danced with St. Carlo Ballet School in Naples, English before joining The and Kansas City National Ballet School and the Academy Royal Ballet School (Lower and Upper Ballet. She has won awards placing of Northern Ballet’s Professional Schools). second and third at the Youth America Graduate Programme. Grand Prix in Chicago. She joined Sponsor Jane & Alan Foale Northern Ballet in 2016. Sponsor Bernard Eke 14 Ashley Dixon Sara Dos Remedios Rachael Gillespie PRINCIPAL SOLOIST APPRENTICE FIRST SOLOIST

Ashley is from Hull and trained at Sara was born in and raised Rachael is from Swindon and joined Central School of Ballet. He joined in Barcelona. She trained at the Northern Ballet in 2007. She trained Northern Ballet in 2004. Professional Dance Conservatoire with the Judith Hockaday School and in Barcelona, EESA/CPD Institut del Central School of Ballet. Her previous Teatre and at the Ecole Supérieure de companies include and Danse Rosella Hightower in Cannes, Ballet Central. France. She completed her training Sponsor Louise & Philip Keller on the Academy of Northern Ballet’s Professional Graduate Programme and joined Northern Ballet in 2020.

Albert Gonzalez Orts Jonathan Hanks Riku Ito DANCER SOLOIST FIRST SOLOIST Albert is from Valencia in Spain. He Jonathan is from Gloucester and Riku is from Yokohama, Japan and trained at Estudio de Danza María trained at Linda Virgoe’s Dance Studio trained at Yumi Kitamori Ballet Studio Carbonell in Valencia, the École and The Royal Ballet School (Lower and and The School. He Atelier Rudra Béjart in Lausanne and Upper Schools). He danced with the joined Northern Ballet in 2014. the Academy of Northern Ballet’s Estonian National Ballet before joining Sponsor Kyla & Andy Mullins Professional Graduate Programme. He Northern Ballet in 2016. joined Northern Ballet in 2019. Sponsor Bernard Eke Sponsor Andy & Kath Barff

Minju Kang Natalia Kerner Sena Kitano FIRST SOLOIST DANCER DANCER Minju is from Seoul, South Korea. She Natalia is from Salvador-Bahia in Sena is from Osaka in Japan and trained trained at Seoul Arts High School, . She trained at Ebateca School at Soda Ballet School in Japan and Korea National Institute for the Gifted of Ballet in Brazil and at Académie the Academy in in Arts and The Hamburg Ballet Princesse Grace in Monte Carlo. In 2014 Amsterdam. She joined Northern Ballet School. She previously performed with she performed with The Norwegian in 2020. Bundesjugendballett for two years National Ballet in The Nutcracker. She before joining Northern Ballet in 2016. joined Northern Ballet in 2015. Sponsor Linda & John Topott Sponsor Dean Eggleston

15 The Dancers - Our Collaborative Artists

Matthew Koon Mlindi Kulashe Kyungka Kwak FIRST SOLOIST LEADING SOLOIST DANCER Matthew is from Manchester. He Mlindi is from Cape Town, South Africa Kyungka is from Seoul, South Korea and trained as an Associate of the Academy where he trained at the Cape Town trained with the Sunhwa Arts School of Northern Ballet before taking up City Ballet and Cape Junior Ballet and Ewha Womans University. Her full-time vocational training at English School. He completed his training at previous companies include Universal National Ballet School. He joined English National Ballet School. He has , Korea. She joined Northern Ballet in 2013. performed with Northern Ballet in 2018. and was awarded a Bronze Medal at Sponsor Neil Eckersley the 2011 Genée International Ballet Competition. He joined Northern Ballet in 2013. Sponsor Paul & Diane Cusworth

Dominique Larose Heather Lehan George Liang FIRST SOLOIST DANCER DANCER Dominique was born in San Francisco, Heather is from Kitchener in Ontario, George is from Taipei, Taiwan and California and trained at the Ayako Canada. She trained at Canada’s trained with the New Zealand School School of Ballet, Tanz Akademie Zürich National Ballet School and joined of Dance, Canada’s National Ballet and the Academy of Northern Ballet’s Northern Ballet in 2017. School and I Shin Dance Studio. He Professional Graduate Programme. She previously danced with The National Sponsor Mr Jolyon & Mrs Carol Harrison joined Northern Ballet in 2014. Ballet of Canada and joined Northern Ballet in 2018.

Harriet Marden Greig Matthews Gavin McCaig DANCER FIRST SOLOIST JUNIOR SOLOIST

Harriet was born in Rochford, Essex Greig is from Aberdeen and trained Gavin is from Motherwell near and raised in Bournemouth. She at The Lamour School of Dance in and trained at The Dance trained at the Jo Heynes Performing Aberdeen, The Dance School of School of Scotland and English Arts School in Bournemouth and at Scotland and The Royal Ballet Upper National Ballet School. He joined Central School of Ballet before joining School. He previously danced with Northern Ballet in 2014. the Academy of Northern Ballet’s and The Joffrey Sponsor The Sterry Family Foundation Professional Graduate Programme. She Ballet in Chicago before joining joined Northern Ballet in 2015. Northern Ballet in 2021.

16 Charlotte McKay Aerys Merrill Ayami Miyata DANCER DANCER LEADING SOLOIST Charlotte is from Rossland in British Aerys Merrill is from Richmond, Ayami was born in Shiga, Japan and Columbia, Canada and trained at Virginia and studied with Richmond trained at Jun Ballet Gakuen, Japan and Canada’s National Ballet School. She Ballet through high school. Aerys Académie Princesse Grace in Monte joined Northern Ballet in 2020. later attended the University of North Carlo. She joined Northern Ballet in Carolina School of the Arts receiving 2009 and performed with a B.F.A in Ballet Performance. Aerys and , before previously danced with in rejoining Northern Ballet in 2014. their second company and with Ballet Sponsor Louise & Philip Keller Memphis before joining Northern Ballet in 2020.

Matthew Morrell Julie Nunès Leandro Olcese DANCER DANCER APPRENTICE

Matthew is from Manchester and Julie is from La Ciotat in France and Leandro was born in Brazil and raised trained at Central School of Ballet trained at the National Dance School in Italy. He trained at Spazio Danza and the Academy of Northern Ballet’s in Marseille and Central School of Cicagna in Italy and English National Professional Graduate Programme. He Ballet. Upon graduation, she joined Ballet School. He joined Northern Ballet joined Northern Ballet in 2018. the Academy of Northern Ballet’s in 2019. Professional Graduate Programme. Sponsor Neil Eckersley She was part of the in ’s The Phantom of the Opera, Stockholm and joined Northern Ballet in 2018.

Aurora Piccininni Kevin Poeung Abigail Prudames DANCER FIRST SOLOIST PRINCIPAL SOLOIST Aurora is from Italy. She trained at the Kevin is from Montpellier in France. He Abigail is from Harrogate in North Conservatory of Valencia and on the joined Northern Ballet in 2012 having Yorkshire and joined Northern Ballet Professional Graduate Programme at trained at English National Ballet School. in 2011. She trained at The Royal Ballet the Academy of Northern Ballet. She Lower School and Elmhurst School for Sponsor Russell Race joined Northern Ballet in 2019. Dance (Upper School). Sponsor The Sterry Family Foundation

17 The Dancers - Our Collaborative Artists

Mariana Rodrigues Bruno Serraclara Archie Sherman JUNIOR SOLOIST DANCER APPRENTICE Mariana is from Lisbon, Portugal and Bruno is from Barcelona and started Archie is from Kent and trained at Hilton trained at the National Conservatory dancing at Escola de Dansa Marisa Hall Dance Academy before joining The Dance School in Lisbon and at The Yudes in Barcelona at age eight before Royal Ballet School. He joined Northern Royal Ballet School. She joined Northern continuing his training at Académie Ballet in 2020. Ballet in 2012. Princesse Grace in Monte Carlo from Sponsor Stephen Griffith MBE 2015 until 2020. He joined Northern Sponsor Patricia Swallow Ballet in 2020.

Joseph Taylor Andrew Tomlinson Matthew Topliss LEADING SOLOIST DANCER SOLOIST Joseph is from Skegness, Lincolnshire. Andrew was born in Leeds and Matthew was born in Boston, He trained at the Janice Sutton Theatre trained on the Academy of Northern Lincolnshire. He is a graduate of the School and Elmhurst School for Dance Ballet’s Centre for Advanced Training Academy of Northern Ballet’s Centre (Upper School). He joined Northern Programme and at Canada’s National for Advanced Training programme Ballet in 2012. Ballet School. He previously performed and continued his training at the Royal with The National Ballet of Canada and Conservatoire of Scotland. He joined Sponsor Patricia Swallow joined Northern Ballet in 2017. Northern Ballet in 2012. Sponsor Jo McLaren

Javier Torres Lorenzo Trossello PREMIER DANCER SOLOIST

Javier is from Cuba and trained at Lorenzo is from Crova, Italy. He trained the National Ballet School of Havana. at Teatro alla Scala Ballet School in He previously performed with Ballet Milan and at The Royal Ballet School Nacional de Cuba and also performs before joining Northern Ballet in 2016. regularly as a guest artist. He joined Northern Ballet in 2010 and was nominated for Best Male Dancer at the 2018 National Dance Awards. He is a member of the International Dance Council CID, UNESCO and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. For dancer biographies visit northernballet.com/dancers 18 Antoinette Brooks-Daw in Dangerous Liaisons. Photo Emma Kauldhar. 19 Music Staff

Jonathan Lo Daniel Parkinson Ellie Slorach MUSIC DIRECTOR ASSOCIATE CONDUCTOR GUEST CONDUCTOR

Hong Kong-born Briton Jonathan Lo is Daniel was appointed Associate Based in Manchester, in 2021-22 Ellie Music Director of Northern Ballet, Staff Conductor of Northern Ballet in will be the Assistant Conductor for the Conductor of the Royal Ballet, Covent 2019 following several years as the Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Garden, and Principal Conductor Company’s Assistant Music Director. Liège. She will also make her debut of the New Bristol Sinfonia and the He combines this role with a busy with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Haffner Orchestra. Jonathan was a freelance career, most notably as a Choir for a world première BBC Performing Arts Conducting regular guest conductor for Scottish performance and with Northern Opera Fellow with Ballet. In 2020, Daniel brought Group as part of the Leeds Opera and has returned every season since together a group of friends to record Festival. In 2020-21 Ellie conducted as a guest conductor. Other highlights Copland’s Appalachian Spring Suite in the BBC Singers in recording, include: Dutch National Ballet; Scottish aid of Help Musicians, whose support London Sinfonietta in workshop and Ballet; Rambert; BBC Philharmonic; for musicians through the coronavirus participated in conducting sessions and the London Sinfonietta. He was a crisis has been vital. Daniel studied with the Orchestra of the Royal Jette Parker Young Artist at the Royal Orchestral Conducting at the Royal . In 2019-20 Ellie was Opera House and was Principal Guest Northern College of Music with Clark the Musical Director of the Hallé Conductor with the Xi’an Symphony Rundell and Mark Heron. Youth Orchestra and made several Orchestra in . Jonathan read appearances with the Hallé Orchestra. Music at Oxford University before In 2015, Ellie founded Kantos Chamber studying conducting at the Royal Choir, putting on innovative concerts Northern College of Music. and rising to the fore of the choral scene in the North of the UK.

Geoffrey Allan Andrew Dunlop Ewan Gilford ORCHESTRA LEADER COMPANY PIANIST COMPANY PIANIST

Born in Scotland, Geoffrey studied Andrew received his doctorate Ewan received his Music Masters with the great violinist Nathan as a Fulbright School from the from the Royal Northern College of Milstein. Leader for the orchestras of Eastman School of Music (New York) Music (RNCM) and was invited to be Scottish Ballet and the new D’Oyly after gaining his MMus and BMus Répétiteur Junior Fellow. Collaborating Carte Opera Company, he has guest- at the RNCM on full scholarship. with many distinguished artsong led for: Welsh National Opera; English He has performed across Europe and operatic soloists, Ewan has also National Ballet; Vancouver Symphony and USA, teaches piano for Leeds worked as an accompanist for: Opera Orchestra; Ulster Orchestra; Orchestre Conservatoire and Yorkshire Young North; RNCM; Leeds College of Music; de la Suisse Romande; and the BBC Musicians and is an examiner for Liverpool Philharmonic; The Hallé; Scottish Symphony Orchestra, with ABRSM. Andrew recently released Leeds Lieder Festival; and Yehudi whom he has broadcast concertos by his first album, Dithis, with his sister Menuhin’s Live Music Now. Ewan acts Tchaikovsky and Lalo for the BBC. Gaelic Singer Joy Dunlop. as Music Director for Northern Ballet’s children’s .

For full biographies please visit northernballet.com/our-people

20 Northern Ballet Sinfonia

Northern Ballet believes that live 1st Violin Double Bass music enhances performance and Geoffrey Allan Hannah Turnbull* is committed to music being played Helen Boardman Katy Furmanski* live for almost all of its productions. William Chadwick* Northern Ballet Sinfonia travel the Smith* Flute length and breadth of the UK with Raimonda Koço Tom Hancox the Company playing for over 100 Katy Barnes* Helena Gourd* performances every year. The full Sinfonia is made up of 27 2nd Violin Bassoon players and is available to play Winona Fifield Paul Boyes concerts and performances outside Ian Flower the main tour. Laura Concar Harpsichord If you would like to book the Sinfonia Kay Stephen* Andrew Dunlop for a concert or to find out more Gavin Davies* about workshops or recordings, please contact: Viola [email protected] Rosalyn Cabot 0113 220 8000 Hannah Horton Lynne Baker*

Cello Sinfonia Supporters Sasha Volpov Nick Lyle & Sheila Nelson Toby Turton Julia Morneweg* *Guest/Extra

Filippo Di Vilio and Abigail Prudames in Dangerous Liaisons. Photo Photo Emma Kauldhar. 21 Ballet Staff

Daniel de Andrade Yoko Ichino Christelle Horna ARTISTIC ASSOCIATE REHEARSAL DIRECTOR & REHEARSAL DIRECTOR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ACADEMY

Daniel is from Brazil and danced with Yoko was born in Los Angeles where Born in France, Christelle trained National Ballet of Portugal, London she trained with Mia Slavenska. at the Paris Opera School and with City Ballet, Zurich Ballet and Scottish Her previous companies include Marika Besobrasova in Monaco. She Ballet before joining Northern Ballet , The National was a Principal Dancer at the Ballet as Principal Artist in 1995 where he Ballet of Canada, and de l’Opera de Nice, France until performed and created roles until Joffrey Ballet. She also performed joining the Compañía Nacional de joining the artistic team in 2003. for numerous companies as a Danza, Spain as a Principal Dancer He has also worked as a guest with guest across the globe and danced under the direction of . companies across the world. As a opposite such artists as Rudolf She has worked with numerous choreographer he has created many Nureyev, Helgi Tómasson, Anthony world-renowned choreographers and short works and children’s ballets for Dowell and . Yoko is a graduate of the State Teaching Northern Ballet, as well as The Boy in was the Director of the Professional Diploma of Dance in France. She the Striped Pyjamas. He created two Training Programme at BalletMet has worked widely as an Associate full-length ballets for Slovak National (1996 – 2001) and has been invited to Director, Teacher and Rehearsal Ballet, most recently Chaplin, The be a guest teacher with schools and Director and is regularly invited Tramp in 2019. He was awarded the companies around the world. to teach masterclasses and give 2011/12 Dance Fellowship on the Clore repertory workshops. Leadership Programme where he was mentored by Wayne McGregor and seconded to Sadler’s Wells.

For full biographies visit northernballet.com/our-people

22 Rediscover the heritage and history of the city Northern Ballet call home

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Principal Trusts & Foundations

The Audrey and Stanley Burton Charitable Trust

24 Carol Arrowsmith Denise Ashworth Dianne Balmforth Andy & Kath Barff Jenny Beverley Liz & Terry Bramall William Geoffrey Michael Burrell The Ann Maguire Arts Education Fund Jeremy & Martine Burton The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust Kate Carroll Bruce Wake Charitable Trust Paul & Diane Cusworth Business Archives Council Kate Dugdale Trusts & The Charles and Elsie Sykes Trust Our Neil Eckersley Foundations Charles Brotherton Trust Benefactors Dean Eggleston The David Solomons Charitable Trust & Donors Bernard Eke The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust Christine & Peter Farmer Ecclesiastical Charitable Trust Kate & Andrew Fisher (Movement for Good Awards) Jane & Alan Foale Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation G.F. Armitage Charitable Trust Evan Cornish Foundation Stephen Griffith MBE The George A Moore Foundation Di & Tim Hare The Granada Foundation Adrian Harris Holbeck Charitable Trust Mr Jolyon & Mrs Carol Harrison Hull & East Riding Charitable Trust John & Maggie Hayes The Kenneth Hargreaves Dr & Mrs Keith Howard Charitable Trust Gwyneth Hughes & Chris Brown Leeds 2023 J & A Charitable Trust Leeds Inspired Elizabeth Jackson The Linden Charitable Trust Juliet Jowitt DL Maxwell Morrison Trust The Keller Family Charitable Trust R E Chadwick Charitable Trust Julie Kenny The Reed Foundation Imogen Knight Rhododendron Trust Ida Levine The Rix-Thompson-Rothenberg Foundation Clive & Virginia Lloyd Sir George Martin Trust The London Ballet Circle Sir James Knott Trust Judith Macdonald Sir John Fisher Foundation Jo McLaren The Spectacle Makers’ Charity Ann Meyrick The Steel Charitable Trust Kyla Mullins The Adams Charitable Trust David Nixon OBE Theatres Trust Sarah & Bruce Noble TK Maxx and Homesense Foundation Charles & Fiona Prest Wade’s Charity Russell Race The Earl & Countess of Scarbrough Mark Skipper DL In Memoriam Graham Smith Mrs Dianne Mary Burton The Sterry Family Foundation Patricia Swallow Jill Thompson Linda & John Topott Howard & Clodagh Woods David & Liz Wootton and those who wish to remain anonymous Sinfonia Supporters Nick Lyle & Sheila Nelson

25 With grateful thanks to

Helen Barnes Philip & Jane Ingham David & Wendy Sterry S. Bell Michael & Zoe Introna Lorraine M Stevens Angela Birkin Caroline J Carey Tebby Peter Blake & Nicholas Lodge Toni Johnston Amy Thwaites Nick & Linda Brown Valerie Jones Robert Topliss Ann Burns Lizzy Joyce Fiona Trewavas Kate Carroll Peter A Knappett Sheila Wainwright Laura Clarke Gary Knapton John Ward James & Kate Close Margaret Knight Philip Webb Our Patrons Alison & Malcolm Cooper Stephen Knight-Gregson Crys Whitewoods Pauline Cope Malcolm Lynch Michael Wiles Reverend Christopher Cowper Michelle Maclachlan Mr & Mrs Graham Wilson OBE John Crosby Kathryn Marsden Julia Wise Susan Dalgetty Ezra Pamela Mason & Keith Parsons John Wright Diana Dent Dave & Maria McGlade Tobias Wynn & Diana O’Neil Lynn Dickinson Janet McNulty and those who wish to remain Sophie Don Jo Mills anonymous Neil Eckersley Andy Mullins Jennifer Fawkner-Corbett Mrs Rupert Nickols Olive Freeman Janet Parkinson Carol Gleisner Mary Percival Paul Goulden Theresa Rainbird Ronald Gray Rachel Rawnsley Michael Hall Maxine Room CBE Wendy Hall Rebecca Rooney Richard A Handby Sandi Sales Avril Handscombe Jo Saxby John Harrop Catherine Selby Kathryn Heaversedge Peter Simpson Geoff Hill & Janet Armson Katharine Smith Jeremy & Mellon Horsell Paul Smith Louise Huband Geoffrey Spackman Mark Ibbertson Robert & Susie Staveley David Ilott Richard Stephens

Mark & Clare Armour Isabella & Brian Leigh-Bramwell Peter Blake & Nicholas Lodge Chih-Chieh Liang Pauline Cope Dave & Maria McGlade Susan Dalgetty Ezra Janet McNulty General Judith Donovan CBE Kate Newman Donors* John & Alaine Fendek Jolyon Oxley Cllr. Robert Gettings Victoria Smith Angel Gonzalez Allen Thomas Sandra Goodwin Elizabeth Wilson J Green Natalie Wing Mr & Mrs Derek Halbert Adrian Wood Elizabeth Halbert Jennifer Young Lizzy Joyce

26 *General donations of £250 - £1,000 HAVE YOU MISSED US?

Never miss a thing again. Become a Northern Ballet supporter and you can be at the heart of our story.

Our mission is to share the joy of dance with everyone, everywhere. Alongside the world class ballet we create for stage and screen, we champion the power of the arts in education, celebrate disabled dance through our wide range of accessible courses, and train the dancers of tomorrow at our studios in Leeds. As a registered charity, we need your help to bring world class ballet to the widest possible audience. With your support we can continue to tell our story.

Become a Patron or Benefactor Corporate Partnerships As a Patron or Benefactor of Northern Ballet you Align your brand with quality and creativity by can be at the heart of everything we do. Keep up creating a unique partnership with one of the UK’s to speed on life behind the scenes with regular leading cultural brands. updates, invitations to inspiring insight events and northernballet.com/support-us/corporate-partnerships much more. northernballet.com/patrons Trusts and Foundations northernballet.com/benefactors Support from Trusts and Foundations makes a huge difference to our work and helps us carry out our Support our Bring Back the Magic appeal inspiring and innovative artistic, educational and accessible projects. Help our new ballet Merlin become a reality with magical sets, choreography, costumes and illusions. northernballet.com/support-us/trusts-and-foundations northernballet.com/magic Every gift we receive supports our mission Leave a gift in your Will to make ballet accessible to everyone, everywhere. Thank you to all our generous Remembering Northern Ballet in your Will is a very supporters who are helping us on our way. special way to share your passion for dance with the next generation and support the future of the Company for years to come. A gift of any size will Discover more at help create new productions, revive much-loved northernballet.com/support-us favourites and train the dancers of the future. Contact the Development team at northernballet.com/legacies [email protected]

Ayami Miyata with Northern Ballet dancers in rehearsal for Geisha. Photo Justin Slee. 27 the international dance magazine published in london No. 254 April/May 2021 £4.75

Prix de Lausanne

Arthur Pita n Benoit Swan Pouffer Christopher Powney n Jason Reilly Marcelino Sambé n Emily Suzuki

the international dance magazine published in london No. 251 October/November 2020

internationalthe dance magazine

Ghost Light published in Hamburg DEBUTS IN MUNICH From Berlin Swan Lake With Love in london critics' choice Patricia Barker 10 Erico Montes Aurélien Scannella 9 771359 979088 www.danceeurope.net

Dance Europe Films on YouTube

105

NB_Programme Ad May 2021.indd 1 06/05/2021 13:36 SOGE_METI_SGPB_1801_HAMBROS__210x297_COLLECTION_GB.indd 1 the international dance magazine published in london No. 254 April/May 2021 £4.75

Prix de Lausanne

Arthur Pita n Benoit Swan Pouffer Christopher Powney n Jason Reilly Marcelino Sambé n Emily Suzuki

the international dance magazine published in london No. 251 October/November 2020

internationalthe dance magazine

Ghost Light published in Hamburg DEBUTS IN MUNICH From Berlin Swan Lake With Love in london critics' choice Iana Salenko Patricia Barker 10 Erico Montes Aurélien Scannella 9 771359 979088 www.danceeurope.net

Dance Europe Films on YouTube

105

NB_Programme Ad May 2021.indd 1 06/05/2021 13:36 Artistic Development Company & Stage Artistic Director Director of Development Management David Nixon OBE Jennifer Young Company Manager Artistic Associate Head of Development Emily Deller Daniel de Andrade Zoë Walker Stage Manager Rehearsal Directors Development Manager: Lyndsey Holmes Yoko Ichino Trusts & Foundations Christelle Horna Hannah Blackwood Senior Deputy Stage Manager Bethany McNaboe Chun-Yen Chia Board Artistic Director of Digital & Choreographer in Residence Events & Business Assistant Stage Manager / and Kenneth Tindall Development Manager Book Cover Sally Tiplady Sandrine Enryd Carlsson Dramatic Associate Staff Patricia Doyle Development Campaigns & Individual Giving Manager Artistic & Learning Assistant Katy Lee Facilities Pippa Moore Senior Development Executive: Facilities Manager Corporates Shaun Daniels Business Hannah Blackwood Facilities Officer Development Officer Peter Scott Chief Executive Richard Cross Mark Skipper DL Facilities Assistants Wayne Dunn Head of Planning John Boulton Tobias Perkins IT Head Receptionists Executive Assistant IT Director Will Dawson Sam Bryans Neil Jarman Fiona Heseltine IT Officer & Receptionists Communications & Assistant Developer Kathy Dean David Fodden Karen Dixon Digital James Gray Carol McCarthy Director of Communications Brandon Robinson-Connolly & Digital Learning Khemi Shabazz Emma Mooney Director of Learning Leanne Kirkham Head of Communications Academy of Liz Rose Senior Learning Head of Digital Project Manager Northern Ballet Liam Verity Sam Moore Director of Academy In-house Designer Learning Project Manager David Nixon OBE Richard Barrelle Nicola Phillips Associate Director of Academy Digital Manager Artistic Learning Manager Yoko Ichino Phill Garnett Sophie Alder Academy Deputy Director Creative Content Producer Dance Education Officers Cara O’Shea Emily Nuttall Keisha Hamilton Philippa Ranger Centre for Advanced Senior Communications Officer Training Manager Rachel Evans Project Coordinator Laura Walsh Heather Newstead Communications Officer Associate & Graduate Kathryn Thompson Archive & Records Manager Programme Manager Hari Jonkers Annemarie Donoghue Junior Designer Amy Kelly Archive Volunteer Open Programme Manager & Alex Goring-Jones Student Support Coordinator Emma Rodriguez-Saona Academy Coordinator Emily Humphreys Academy Pianist Gerard Power Medical Technical Royal Patron Physiotherapy Services Technical Director Sport & Spinal Steve Wilkins Physiotherapy Ltd, Leeds Liz Atha Head of Lighting Craig Schofield Alastair West Company Masseurs Deputy Head of Lighting Giuliano Contadini Abbi Fearnley Caitlin Hampson Studio Technical Manager Martin Smith Head of Stage HRH the Earl of Wessex KG GCVO Music Sid Taylor Music Director Deputy Head of Stage Board of Directors Jonathan Lo Nick Anger Sir David Wootton (Chair) Associate Conductor Stage Technician Javaad Alipoor Daniel Parkinson Daniel Alexander Carol Arrowsmith Guest Conductor Seasonal Stage Technician Baroness Blake of Leeds CBE Ellie Slorach Henry Boulton Jolyon Harrison Elizabeth Jackson Orchestra & Concerts Seasonal Assistant Electrician Philip Keller Managers Sam Day Clive Lloyd Barry Collarbone Kyla Mullins Steve Costello Head of Workshop Griz Pedley Kevin O’Hare CBE Company/Orchestra Pianists Anita Rani Andrew Dunlop Deputy Head of Workshop Graham Smith Ewan Gilford Pradeep Dash Paul Smith Transport Stagefreight Honorary President Sound Engineer Kevin Heap Bernard Atha CBE

Wardrobe & Wigs Senior Vice President Head of Wardrobe Sir Simon Towneley KCVO JP Kim Brassley Senior Wardrobe Manager Mikhaila Pye Vice Presidents Costume Cutters & Makers Dr Jo Butterworth Julie Anderson Tim Collins Carley Marsh Judith Donovan CBE David Forbes Assistant Costume Maker Jon Hammond DL Donna Hardcastle Alan Harrison Wigs Manager David Heal Harriet Rogers Juliet Jowitt DL Malcolm Oliver Wardrobe Manager Dr Maxine Room CBE Ellie Kemp Phil Swallow Deputy Wardrobe Manager Victoria Tomlinson Holly Prescott Wardrobe Assistant Roxanne Major Observer Matthew Sims, Leeds CC

Assessor Kristian Pellissier, Arts Council England Events and Conferencing

Let Northern Ballet be the host for your next event

We offer a range of event and meeting spaces to suit your needs: Board Suite and Ground Floor Stanley & Audrey outside terrace with Studios Meeting Rooms fabulous city views Burton Theatre

t: 0113 220 8000 Day Delegate Rates e: [email protected] starting from £26pp

northernballet.com/venue-hire Making Let Northern Ballet be the great host for your next event dance digital

Visit the best place to experience the highest quality dance from Northern Ballet on screen.

Featuring full-length films of our most popular ballets through to innovative and unexpected exclusive short dance films by up-and- coming choreographers and filmmakers. Plus insight films offering a glimpse behind the scenes of our work for stage and screen.

digitaldance.org

Photos Emily Nuttall and Riku Ito.