Dangerous Liaisons @ West Yorkshire Playhouse
A fantastic poster for Dangerous Liaisons is up outside the West Yorkshire Playhouse. It’s our first production of the season which features Swan Lake and The Nutcracker.
Tickets for the season are on sale now.
You can learn more about our production of Dangerous Liaisons on our website and you can book directly from the theatre:
West Yorkshire Playhouse – Box Office: 0113 213 7700 or Book Online.
Performances run from Tuesday 7 September to Saturday 11 September. Evening performances are 7:30pm, Tuesday matinée 2:30pm and the Saturday matinée begins at 2:00pm and is Audio Described.
Pictures from Hong Kong
The Company are currently in Hong Kong to perform Peter Pan as part of the opening programme of the International Arts Carnival at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre.
Here are a few pictures they’ve sent back of the stage as they prepare for the performance alongside images from the Peter Pan’s Land of Dreams exhibition which is also a part of the carnival…
Further information about Peter Pan’s tour to Hong Kong and Macau.
Woking Casting – Wuthering Heights
Here are castings for up to Thu mat in Woking this week. As always, casts are subject to change at short notice so please check cast sheets at the venue for the most accurate cast for your performance.
Tue Eve
Cathy Martha Leebolt
Heathcliff Christopher Hinton-Lewis
Young Cathy Pippa Moore
Young Heathcliff Ashley Dixon
Hindley Martin Bell
Edgar Hironao Takahashi
Isabella Hannah Bateman
Wed Eve
Cathy Julie Charlet
Heathcliff Kenneth Tindall
Young Cathy Ayana Kanda
Young Heathcliff David Ward
Hindley Darren Goldsmith
Edgar Ashley Dixon
Isabella Pippa Moore
Thu Mat
Cathy Georgina May
Heathcliff Tobias Batley
Young Cathy Michela Paolacci
Young Heathcliff Ben Mitchell
Hindley Giuliano Contadini
Edgar Hironao Takahashi
Isabella Lori Gilchrist
An Interview With Three Vampires
(Left to right) Tobias Batley, Kenneth Tindall and Christopher Hinton-Lewis discuss their approach to playing the title role in Northern Ballet Theatre’s production of Dracula.
—
Dracula is on at the West Yorkshire Playhouse 10-19 September, for details about events at the theatre, audio description, touch tours and more read the Dracula information page.
New Season Tickets Now On Sale…
Tickets for the Autumn/Winter Season are on sale now.
Remember to book early to avoid disappointment.
- Dracula
- West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds
- Box Office: 0113 213 7700
- 10-19 September
- West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds
- Wuthering Heights
- Theatre Royal Norwich
- Box Office: 01603 630000
- 29 September – 3 October
- New Victoria Theatre, Woking
- Box Office: 0870 060 6645
- 6-10 October
- Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
- Box Office: 01274 432000
- 20-24 October
- Theatre Royal Norwich
- A Cristmas Carol
- Theatre Royal, Nottingham
- Box Office: 0115 9895555
- 17-21 November
- Leeds Grand Theatre
- Box Office: 0844 848 2701
- 1-10 December (5 December will be an alumni performance)
- Also performing at Milton Keynes Theatre (13-17 October) and Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield (10-14 November)
- Theatre Royal, Nottingham
- Peter Pan
- Leeds Grand Theatre
- Box Office: 0844 848 2701
- 17-27 December
- Leeds Grand Theatre
Click here for full deatils about NBT’s current and forthcoming tour.
Also on sale are tickets and packages for Northern Ballet Theatre’s 40th Anniversary Gala in aid of the momentum campaign.
The event takes place at Leeds Grand Theatre on 12 December.
For full details of packages available for the 40th Anniversary Gala click here.
To book seats which include a glass of champagne and a Gala programme click here.
Peter Grant Rehearses “As Time Goes By”

Peter Grant rehearsing "As Time Goes By" at West Park with Northern Ballet Theatre
Young jazz sensation, Peter Grant, was in rehearsal with the Company at their West Park studios last week.
Peter is a 20 year-old jazz artist from Guiseley, Leeds. His album, “New Vintage” debuted at number 8 in the charts and sold over 100,00 copies. His second album “Traditional” combines easy listening jazz with a younger edge.
Peter will perform live with NBT in the UK première of As Time Goes By. Conjuring up an era of classic glamour, the dancers perform David Nixon’s stylish choreography to a selection of timeless songs such as Moondance, Song and Sophisticated Swing Man.
As Time Goes By will have its UK première in London in May (Sadler’s Wells 19 & 20 May) and will be performed in Leeds early next year.
Young Jazz Sensation, Peter Grant, Joins NBT for London Performances

Peter Grant will be performing live with NBT at Sadler's Wells
Young jazz sensation, Yorkshire-born Peter Grant, whose debut album sold over 100,000 copies, will perform live with Northern Ballet Theatre during the London performances of the Company’s 40th Anniversary Mixed Programme.
NBT will bring an exciting programme of dance, music, song and theatre to Sadler’s Wells, London this May. The Company will present a Mixed Programme (As Time Goes By, A Simple Man and Angels in the Architecture) alongside one of its most popular and enduring productions, Romeo & Juliet. NBT will perform at Sadler’s Wells from Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 May and tickets are available by calling the box office on 0844 412 4300.
The Mixed Programme opens with the UK première of As Time Goes By, in which Peter Grant will perform live with NBT. Conjuring up an era of classic glamour, the dancers perform David Nixon’s stylish choreography to a selection of timeless songs such as Moondance, Song and As Time Goes By.
Mixed Programme Cast List – Edinburgh
Please note: All casts are subject to change.
Sat 21 Mar (mat)
La Bayadère (The Kingdom of the Shades)
Nikiya – Martha Leebolt
Solar – David Ward
Solo 1 – Christie Duncan
Solo 2 – Hannah Bateman
Solo 3 – Isabella Gasparini
Angels In The Architecture
Female Dancers – Christie Duncan, Keiko Amemori, Victoria Sibson, Georgina May, Martha Leebolt, Hannah Bateman
Male Dancers – Kenneth Tindall, Darren Goldsmith, David Ward, John Hull, Sebastian Loe, Tobias Batley
A Simple Man
Lowry – Darren Goldsmith
Lowry’s Mother – Nathalie Léger
Ann – Georgina May
Girls In Red – Hannah Bateman, Lori Gilchrist
Maud / Tennis Player – Julie Charlet
Father Going Home – Ashley Dixon
Children’s Mother – Victoria Sibson
Nymphettes – Christie Duncan, Michela Paolacci
Man In A Quandry – Steven Wheeler
Balloon Sellers – Sebastian Loe, Ben Mitchell
Sat 21 Mar (eve)
La Bayadère (The Kingdom of the Shades)
Nikiya – Julie Charlet
Solar – John Hull
Solo 1 – Pippa Moore
Solo 2 – Georgina May
Solo 3 – Dreda Blow
Angels In The Architecture
Female Dancers – Christie Duncan, Keiko Amemori, Victoria Sibson, Georgina May, Martha Leebolt, Hannah Bateman
Male Dancers – Kenneth Tindall, Darren Goldsmith, David Ward, John Hull, Sebastian Loe, Tobias Batley
A Simple Man
Lowry – Darren Goldsmith
Lowry’s Mother – Nathalie Léger
Ann – Georgina May
Girls In Red – Hannah Bateman, Lori Gilchrist
Maud / Tennis Player – Julie Charlet
Father Going Home – Ashley Dixon
Children’s Mother – Victoria Sibson
Nymphettes – Christie Duncan, Michela Paolacci
Man In A Quandry – Steven Wheeler
Balloon Sellers – Sebastian Loe, Ben Mitchell
Please not all casts are subject to change.
Swan Lake Cast List – Edinburgh
Please note – all casts are subject to change
Tue 17 March (eve)
Anthony – Kenneth Tindall
Simon – Christopher Hinton-Lewis
Odette – Keiko Amemori
Odilia – Martha Leebolt
Mother – Nathalie Léger
Father – Steven Wheeler
Young Anthony – Thomas Aragones
Brother – Ben Mitchell
Wed 18 March (eve)
Anthony – Tobias Batley
Simon – David Ward
Odette – Martha Leebolt
Odilia – Georgina May
Mother – Hannah Bateman
Father – Darren Goldsmith
Young Anthony – Thomas Aragones
Brother – Ashley Dixon
Thu 19 March (mat)
Anthony – Christopher Hinton-Lewis
Simon – John Hull
Odette – Michela Paolacci
Odilia – Keiko Amemori
Mother – Dreda Blow
Father – Steven Wheeler
Young Anthony – Brice Asnar
Brother – Ben Mitchell
Thu 19 March (eve)
Anthony – Kenneth Tindall
Simon – Christopher Hinton-Lewis
Odette – Keiko Amemori
Odilia – Martha Leebolt
Mother – Nathalie Léger
Father – Steven Wheeler
Young Anthony – Thomas Aragones
Brother – Ben Mitchell
All casts are subject to change without notice.
Swan Lake Cast List – Leeds
Please note: All casts are subject to change.
Wednesday 4 March (Eve)
Anthony – Kenneth Tindall
Simon – Christopher Hinton-Lewis
Odette – Keiko Amemori
Odilia – Martha Leebolt
Mother – Nathalie Léger
Father – Steven Wheeler
Young Anthony – Thomas Aragones
Brother – Ben Mitchell
Thursday 5 March (Mat)
Anthony – Christopher Hinton-Lewis
Simon – John Hull
Odette – Michela Paolacci
Odilia – Keiko Amemori
Mother – Dreda Blow
Father – Steven Wheeler
Young Anthony – Brice Asnar
Brother – Ben Mitchell
Thursday 5 March (Eve)
Anthony – Tobias Batley
Simon – David Ward
Odette – Martha Leebolt
Odilia – Georgina May
Mother – Hannah Bateman
Father – Darren Goldsmith
Young Anthony – Thomas Aragones
Brother – Ben Mitchell
Friday 6 March (Eve)
Anthony – Tobias Batley
Simon – David Ward
Odette – Martha Leebolt
Odilia – Georgina May
Mother – Hannah Bateman
Father – Darren Goldsmith
Young Anthony – Thomas Aragones
Brother – Ben Mitchell
Saturday 7 March (Mat)
Anthony – Christopher Hinton-Lewis
Simon – John Hull
Odette – Michela Paolacci
Odilia – Keiko Amemori
Mother – Dreda Blow
Father – Steven Wheeler
Young Anthony – Brice Asnar
Brother – Ben Mitchell
Saturday 7 March (Eve)
Anthony – Kenneth Tindall
Simon – Christopher Hinton-Lewis
Odette – Keiko Amemori
Odilia – Martha Leebolt
Mother – Nathalie Léger
Father – Steven Wheeler
Young Anthony – Thomas Aragones
Brother – Ben Mitchell
David Sumbler’s Weblog
David Sumbler, principal flute player, has performed with the Northern Ballet Theatre Orchestra for over 20 years. In his new blog David gives an insight into the life and work of the Orchestra, both on and off tour.
I’m sure most of you have been following the fascinating blogs written by Hannah and Rym. Well, now you are going to have the chance to find out what the Orchestra has been up to as well.
As the Company is not yet on tour, I thought I would begin by telling you a little bit about how the Orchestra works, and what the musicians’ lives are like.
At the moment the dancers are, I am sure, working very hard to learn the productions for the forthcoming tour. But the Orchestra only starts rehearsing for the Mixed Programme on Monday 23 February, just 3 days before opening night!
On Monday we will have 6 hours rehearsal in a church in Brighouse, just for the Orchestra, and 9 hours the following day. The first time that dancers and Orchestra try things over together is at the dress rehearsal at Leeds Grand Theatre on Wednesday afternoon. Up until then, the dancers will only have heard the music played on the piano, or perhaps on a recording. We have a second dress rehearsal in the evening, and then we open the show on the Thursday afternoon. Now you know why people talk about first night nerves!
As I said, the dancers don’t get to hear the music live until a day or so before the opening night. We, on the other hand, sometimes never see the dancing at all (although the conductor will have been to some of the rehearsals). This is because being in the Orchestra pit it is difficult or impossible for us to see the stage, especially for the brass and percussion who are sometimes actually underneath the stage. It all depends on the theatre and where you are sitting in the pit.
We don’t work full time for NBT: we are freelance musicians. It would not make much sense for NBT to put us on full-time salaries, when they only need us for about half the year. At the same time, they don’t want to have a rag-bag of musicians sight-reading the show at every new venue. So we have a you-scratch-my-back-and-I’ll-scratch-yours arrangement: the Company agrees who it wants in the Orchestra and offers the work to us; we accept as much of the work as we can, although there may be occasions when particular players are not available. In this way, NBT gets the players it wants most of the time without the expense of paying retaining fees, and the musicians have about six months work in the year which they can fairly count on, but can still keep up other professional connections so that they are not out of work for the rest of the year.
So, if you have ever looked into the pit and noticed that, for instance, a bassoonist called Paul looks suspiciously like a woman, it is most likely that Paul was not available and a “dep” (deputy) has been booked instead. All of our deps are excellent players who work with us frequently and are as much part of the team as those of us who are there the rest of the time.
You might be wondering what sort of work the musicians do when they are not working for NBT. Mostly it is freelance work with other Orchestras: various NBT Orchestra members work regularly for the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic and other such orchestras. There are also TV and film sessions. Most also do some individual teaching of their instrument, either privately or in a music college or school. People also do concerts of chamber music, solo recitals and suchlike.
Personally, I used to do all of the above, as well as working as a music examiner, adjudicator, composer, arranger, editor, accompanist and repetiteur. I have even played the piano for rehearsals and ballet class for NBT in the dim, distant past. Now, from choice, I do little paid work other than working for NBT. This is because, as the oldest member of the Orchestra (although not the longest serving) I decided that it was time I just did the things I really enjoy doing, and so far as work was concerned, that meant playing for NBT.
And why do I enjoy working for the Company so much? Certainly because of the music and the dance (even though I often can’t see it!) but it is also because of the people I work with. This is even more important than it would be in a normal job, because since we are staying away from home for a week at a time, we tend to spend much of our free time with our colleagues, so they need to be good friends too.
So that’s a little bit about the background of the Orchestra and the way we work. Next time I write we shall have begun the spring tour, so I shall tell you something about life when we are actually working for NBT!
Casts for The Nutcracker in Hull
Castings for The Nutcracker at New Theatre, Hull.
4 – 8 November 2008
Box Office: 014822 226 655
Book Online
Tuesday 4 November (EVE)
Clara – Pippa Moore
Nutcracker – Christopher Hinton-Lewis
Drosselmeyer – Darren Goldsmith
Sugar Plum Fairy – Keiko Amemori
Cavalier – Hironao Takahashi
Wednesday 5 November (EVE)
Clara – Christie Duncan
Nutcracker – Ashley Dixon
Drosselmeyer – Kenneth Tindall
Sugar Plum Fairy – Martha Leebolt
Cavalier – Martin Bell
Thursday 6 November (MAT)
Clara – Isabella Gasparini
Nutcracker – David Ward
Drosselmeyer – Christopher Hinton Lewis
Sugar Plum Fairy – Julie Charlet
Cavalier – John Hull
Thursday 6 November (EVE)
Clara – Pippa Moore
Nutcracker – Christopher Hinton-Lewis
Drosselmeyer – Darren Goldsmith
Sugar Plum Fairy – Keiko Amemori
Cavalier – Hironao Takahashi
Friday 7 November (EVE)
Clara – Isabella Gasparini
Nutcracker – David Ward
Drosselmeyer – Christopher Hinton Lewis
Sugar Plum Fairy – Julie Charlet
Cavalier – John Hull
Saturday 8 November (MAT)
Clara – Christie Duncan
Nutcracker – Ashley Dixon
Drosselmeyer – Kenneth Tindall
Sugar Plum Fairy – Martha Leebolt
Cavalier – Martin Bell
Saturday 8 November (EVE)
Clara – Ayana Kanda
Nutcracker – Hironao Takahashi
Drosselmeyer – Steven Wheeler
Sugar Plum Fairy – Georgina May
Cavalier – Yi Song
New Nutcracker E-Flyer
The Nutcracker – On Tour this Autumn Winter Season
The production will be visiting Hull, Woking, Milton Keynes, Bath and Leeds between now and Christmas.
Click here for full tour details
Next Season Online
Just a note to say that the Tour pages on www.northernballettheatre.co.uk have been updated with the latest details and information about next season’s productions…
A Tale of Two Cities
Here are some production images from A Tale of Two Cities. All photos are by Alastair Muir.
A Tale of Two Cities Première at the WYP
Saturday the 30th of August saw NBT’s brand new production, Cathy Marston’s A Tale of Two Cities ballet, première at Leeds’ West Yorkshire Playhouse. Photographs of the production should follow tomorrow, here are a few other photos of the event.
The West Yorkshire Playhouse
Speech: Artistic Director David Nixon thanks choreographer Cathy Marston
Judith Donovan CBE (from the Board of Directors) wishes NBT Chairman, Councillor Bernard Atha CBE, a happy 80th birthday!
…cutting the cake.
A Tale of Two Cities Première – Cast
Northern Ballet Theatre’s latest production, A Tale of Two Cities
by Cathy Marston, premières this Saturday (30th August), at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds.
The following cast list is for the Première night only and is provisional, Northern Ballet Theatre reserves the right to make alterations without notice.
LUCIE – Keiko Amemori
MdM DEFARGE – Victoria Sibson
THERESE – Michela Paolacci
PROSS – Ginnie Ray
VENGENCE – Martha Leebolt
AGNES – Pippa Moore
CHARLES – Tobias Batley
SYDNEY – Kenneth Tindall
MANETTE – Hironao Takahashi
LORRY – John Hull
DEFARGE – Darren Goldsmith
GABELLE – Michael Berkin
MARQUIS – Steven Wheeler
YOUNG MANETTE – David Ward
DENIS – Thomas Aragones
YOUNG CHARLES – Ben Mitchell
August eNewsletter
New Nutcracker Stuff!
Northern Ballet Theatre’s Autumn/Winter Tour sees the return of David Nixon’s sparkling festive favourite, The Nutcracker
The production will be visiting the following theatres around the UK:
Hull, New Theatre – 4-8 November 08
Woking, New Victoria Theatre – 11-15 November 08
Milton Keynes Theatre – 25-29 November 08
Bath, Theatre Royal – 2-6 December 08
Leeds, Grand Theatre – 17-31 December 08
To book tickets and to see the new gallery visit the recently renovated Nutcracker production pages
A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Venue Cymru, Llandudno
This week sees the final week of our Spring/Summer tour with performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Venue Cymru in Llandudno from Wed 4 – Sat 7 June.
Provisional casting is as follows – as always, please remember that this is subject to change at any time.
Wed 4
Theseus Hiro Takahashi
Hippolyta Keiko Amemori
Hermia Georgina May
Helena Christie Duncan
Lysander Kenneth Tindall
Demetrius Toby Batley
Puck Victoria Sibson
Thur 5 matinee
Theseus Darren Goldsmith
Hippolyta Pippa Moore
Hermia Hannah Bateman
Helena Christie Duncan
Lysander Toby Batley
Demetrius Ashley Dixon
Puck Kieran Stoneley
Thur 5 evening
Theseus Hiro Takahashi
Hippolyta Keiko Amemori
Hermia Georgina May
Helena Michela Paolacci
Lysander Kenneth Tindall
Demetrius David Ward
Puck Ashley Dixon
Fri 6
Theseus Martin Bell
Hippolyta Martha Leebolt
Hermia Lori Gilchrist
Helena Christie Duncan
Lysander Yi Song
Demetrius Toby Batley
Puck Ashley Dixon
Sat 7 matinee
Theseus Darren Goldsmith
Hippolyta Pippa Moore
Hermia Lori Gilchrist
Helena Michela Paolacci
Lysander Yi Song
Demetrius David Ward
Puck Kieran Stoneley
Sat 7 evening
Theseus Martin Bell
Hippolyta Martha Leebolt
Hermia Keiko Amemori
Helena Michela Paolacci
Lysander Hiro Takahasho
Demetrius David Ward
Puck Victoria Sibson
Tickets are still available and can be purchased on 01492 872000 or online at www.venuecymru.co.uk
Hamlet takes to the stage at Sadler’s Wells

“Move over Nutcracker, this is big boys ballet – brutal, testosterone-driven and utterly gripping.” Islington Gazette
“The jarring and jagged routines from the troupe, led by Hinton-Lewis in the lead role, perhaps brought the raw torment of the piece across like no theatrical performance could.” Camden New Journal
.
“Nixon is a master of psychological narrative: relationships are characterised by movement values, volumes are uttered in looks, glances and small gestures.” Gross Britannien
…
Next Season’s Tour dates
Northern Ballet Theatre’s Autumn/Winter tour information is now up on the NBT website:
Click here to view Tour Map
Click here to view Tour List (Chronological)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream reviewed in Culture Northern Ireland
“Graeme Stewart slips on his dancing shoes for an extraordinary night at the Grand Opera House
Northern Ballet Theatre have achieved something extraordinary with A Midsummer Night’s Dream. They have taken one of English literature’s best-loved plays, changing nothing and everything at the same time.
With a creative team including artistic director David Nixon, set designer Duncan Hayler and music director John Pryce-Jones, the production is a stunning display of visual and musical delights, and certainly one of the best contemporary interpretations of Shakespeare’s masterpiece…”
Read the rest of the review here.
New Hamlet Trailer
NBT have produced a new trailer for their production of Hamlet, in the run-up to taking the ballet to Sadler’s Wells in London. The advert features new pictures of the production and exclusive music by Philip Feeney.
Hamlet World Première at Leeds, Grand Theatre
Saturday saw the first public performance of Northern Ballet Theatre’s new dance adaptation of Hamlet, on the stage of the Grand Theatre in Leeds….
Hamlet Casting
Hamlet
Leeds, Grand Theatre
16 – 23 February 2008
THIS CAST LIST IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Saturday 16 February (evening)
Hamlet – Christopher Hinton-Lewis
Ophelia – Georgina May
Gertrude – Nathalie Leger
Claudius – Darren Goldsmith
Horatio / RS ex man – Tobias Batley
Polonius – Martin Bell
Laertes – Hiro Takahashi
Monday 18 February (evening)
Hamlet – Hiro Takahashi
Ophelia – Keiko Amemori
Gertrude – Patricia Hines
Claudius – Kenneth Tindall
Horatio / RS ex man – Ashley Dixon
Polonius – Martin Bell
Laertes – Tobias Batley
Tuesday 19 February (evening)
Hamlet – Christopher Hinton-Lewis
Ophelia – Georgina May
Gertrude – Nathalie Leger
Claudius – Darren Goldsmith
Horatio / RS ex man – Tobias Batley
Polonius – Martin Bell
Laertes – Hiro Takahashi
Wednesday 20 February (evening)
Hamlet – Christopher Hinton-Lewis
Ophelia – Georgina May
Gertrude – Nathalie Leger
Claudius – Darren Goldsmith
Horatio / RS ex man – Ashley Dixon
Polonius – Martin Bell
Laertes – Tobias Batley
Thursday 21 February (matinee)
Hamlet – Hiro Takahashi
Ophelia – Keiko Amemori
Gertrude – Patricia Hines
Claudius – Kenneth Tindall
Horatio / RS ex man – Ashley Dixon
Polonius – Martin Bell
Laertes – Tobias Batley
Thursday 21 February (evening)
Hamlet – Christopher Hinton-Lewis
Ophelia – Georgina May
Gertrude – Nathalie Leger
Claudius – Darren Goldsmith
Horatio / RS ex man – Tobias Batley
Polonius – Martin Bell
Laertes – Hiro Takahashi
Box Office: 0131 529 6000
Click here for more information on the ballet.
Exclusive Hamlet Music Preview
Go to the Hamlet Website to hear exclusive excerpts of Philip Feeney’s new score for David Nixon’s latest ballet. Here you can also find the full Scenario for the ballet.
Keep checking for more updates in the run up to Hamlet’s Premiere on the 16th February in Leeds.
All on Sale – Book Online Today
All tickets for this season’s performances are now on sale.
To book online click here.
Hamlet Trailer
Hamlet – Coming soon!
Click here for more information, tour dates and to get the new Hamlet desktop background.
November E-Newsletter
NBT have just sent out their monthly E-Newsletter.
“We are currently conducting a survey of our audiences to find out about what you think of Northern Ballet Theatre. Everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win 4 tickets to any production next season…”