40th anniversary so far
One of our long term Friends of NBT, Janet McNulty has written about her thoughts on our 40th anniversary year so far. You can read it here http://www.ballet.co.uk/dcforum/DCForumID19/139.html
NBT at the Great Yorkshire Show
Steph staffing the Northern Ballet Theatre stand
The Great Yorkshire Show is the North’s leading agricultural event and takes place from Tuesday 14 to Thursday 16 July 2009 on the 250-acre Great Yorkshire Showground on the edge of the spa town of Harrogate.
An array of information and goodies available at the NBT stand
Barnsley Pupils Show Their Creative Colours
More than 100 pupils from five primary schools in Barnsley have spent the past six weeks exploring dance with Northern Ballet Theatre (NBT) and Qdos Creates. The pupils have been working with NBT Dance Education Officer Sophie Alder and Katy Marsh, performer and workshop leader from Qdos. They have been busy creating their own unique dance performances based on the theme of colour and will share the work they have created at two special performances this weekend.
The young people would love to see friends, family and NBT supporters there to cheer them on at the performances which are taking place in Barnsley on Saturday 11 July at 11am prior to the Mayor’s Parade in the Town Centre and on Sunday 12 July at 2pm at Locke Park in Barnsley.
Dracula E-Flyer
Dracula is at the West Yorkshire Playhouse 10-19 September, 2009
Go to the Dracula E-Flyer here to get full information on the ticket prices, discounts and Get Closer events scheduled.
On the Dracula pages you can also view some stunning photographs from previous performances, Ali Allen’s model boxes of the set, behind the scenes pictures, read the full scenario of the production as well as a little Dracula trivia…
Dracula is on at the West Yorkshire Playhouse from the 10-19 September (except Sundays) with evening performances at 7.30pm and matinée performances on Saturday 12 & 19 at 2.00pm.
Click here to book now. Or call the West Yorkshire Playhouse box office on: 0113 213 7700.
NBT Students Receive Places At Top Ballet Schools
Three of NBT’s Professional Division students have seen their dreams come true this summer as they were offered places at two of the countries leading ballet schools to pursue careers in dance. Matthew Topliss and Sophie Hall, both aged 16 from Bradford, will make the move to Glasgow come September to begin an exciting new chapter as students at the Scottish Academy, studying on the BA in Modern Ballet in partnership with Scottish Ballet. Matthew Valentine will leave his home town of Leeds and move to London as he takes his place at Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance.
NBT Ballet Mistress and Curriculum Manager Yoko Ichino is delighted to see the students going on to pursue their dreams
“We’re sad to see our students leave but thrilled all their hard work has paid off. We’ve given them a fantastic start and I’m sure the training they’ve received here at NBT will have prepared them both mentally and physically for the challenges of full time training.We wish them the best of luck!”
NBT Academy Students are Pride of Yorkshire
- (L to R) Nicole Matthews (10), Connor Taylor (12), Matthew Topliss (16), Amy Fleming (14), Joseph Poulton (17) & Dale Rhodes (17)
Six students from the Northern Ballet Theatre Academy (NBT Academy) were lucky enough to attend the Lord Lieutenants Yorkshire Young Achievers Garden Party at Bowcliffe Hall in Bramham on Sunday 21st June. They had all been nominated for an award either by their schools or by NBT. They had a fantastic day speaking to all the other young people and the specially invited guests. Matthew Topliss was thrilled to receive a special award on the day for Outstanding Achievement.
Love Bites: Northern Ballet Theatre brings Dracula back to Leeds
Dracula is at the West Yorkshire Playhouse 10-19 September, 2009
Imagine a world where you can only go out after dark, where you feel a constant hunger for human blood and where, for all eternity, you will appear young and beautiful. Welcome to the world of Dracula.
As part of its 40th anniversary celebrations Northern Ballet Theatre (NBT) will resurrect its much-loved production of Dracula only in its home city. The production will be performed at Leeds’ West Yorkshire Playhouse, from Thursday 10 to Saturday 19 September 2009. Created by NBT’s Artistic Director David Nixon, Dracula premièred in the UK in 2005 at the same venue.
Dracula reveals the tormented world of the immortal Count: a creature who should inspire repulsion in every living thing, but who has seduced countless generations, Dracula is possessed with a mesmerising sensuality which fascinates us all.
Images and scenes from Bram Stoker’s legendary novel are re-told in sensuous and sinister dance and theatre; from Jonathan Harker’s arrival at the Count’s castle to Dracula’s seduction of Harker’s wife Mina.
David explains: “I would be foolish to think that I could retell Bram Stoker’s novel in complete detail in dance. My ballet represents those images, ideas and thoughts that left their mark on me most strongly.
“Dracula is usually viewed as an evil, preying character, but he knows love and will act upon it. I felt it was important for audiences to see him as a victim – all creatures need to be loved and Dracula is no exception. The love he shares with Mina transcends the boundaries of good and evil.”
With direction, choreography and costume designs by David Nixon, and set designs by Ali Allen who visited Romania for inspiration, Dracula brings the Gothic style of Victorian England and the medieval world of Transylvania to life. Music by Alfred Schnittke, Arvo Pärt, Michael Daugherty and Sergei Rachmaninov completes this dramatic tale of love, sensuality and immortality.
LISTINGS:
- Venue: The West Yorkshire Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7UP
- Dates: Thursday 10 to Saturday 19 September 2009
- Performances: Evenings – 7.30pm (no Sunday performance), Matinees: Sat 12 and Sat 19
Sept, 2pm - Tickets: £17, £22, £27 (Discounts and concessions available)
- Box Office: 0113 213 7700 www.wyp.org.uk [Book]
GET CLOSER:
Learn more about the production and the Company with an exciting series of talks and workshops. Including a pre-performance workshop, open adult workshop, touch tour and audio-described performance there is something for everyone. For further details and to book places please call the box office on 0113 213 7700.
Press resources:
To arrange an interview with one of the cast or creative team, or for production images please contact: Ruth Burke-Kennedy, Media & PR Manager, Northern Ballet Theatre. Tel: 0113 274 5355, or Jane Verity, Press Officer, West Yorkshire Playhouse. Tel: 0113 213 7272.
PRESS NIGHT: Thursday 10 September, 7.30pm, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds.
New Season Promotions
Northern Ballet Theatre (NBT) is delighted to announce the following promotions which take effect from summer 2009: Kenneth Tindall and Martha Leebolt from Soloist to Premier Dancer (a position previously known as Leading Artist); Tobias Batley and Hannah Bateman from Junior Soloist to First Soloist; Ashley Dixon and Yi Song from Coryphée to Soloist; John Hull and David Ward from Dancer to Soloist; Ayana Kanda, Michela Paolacci, Christie Duncan and Julie Charlet from Dancer to Coryphèe.
NBT welcomes dancers Ayami Miyata from the Academie de Danse Classique Princesse Grace in Monaco and Jeremy Curnier from the Royal Ballet School; while William Simmonds from English National Ballet School, Daniel Clarke from Elmhurst School for Dance and Anna Blackwell from Central School of Ballet join NBT as Apprentices.
Principal Artist Keiko Amemori, dancers Dianne Gray and James Pickup and Apprentice Brice Asnar left the Company at the end of the spring/summer season.
Junior Soloist Ginnie Ray is on maternity leave.
During NBT’s 40th Anniversary spring/summer season the Company performed three full-length productions (Swan Lake, Romeo & Juliet and Wuthering Heights) and a Mixed Programme at 13 venues in towns and cities across the UK including Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London and Manchester. Over 14 weeks the Company gave 89 performances to almost 57,000 people. NBT’s 40th Anniversary autumn/winter season starts with performances of Dracula at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds from 10-19 September.
Press contact: Laraine Penson, Head of Media & PR, Northern Ballet Theatre
Tel: 0113 274 5355
Email: laraine.penson@northernballettheatre.co.uk
Northern Ballet Theatre - News Blog 
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