< Previous10 From September - December 2021, the postponed world World Première of Merlin exposed audiences to a sweeping epic adventure of heartbreak, hope and more than a little magic! Choreographed by Olivier-award winning Drew McOnie, this enchanting spectacle delighted audiences across the UK. A BALLET BY DREW MCONIE MERLIN 49 Performances 5 Venues 23K Live audience WORLD PREMIÈRE 1011 Kevin Poeung in Merlin. Photo Caroline Holden ‘PURE ENCHANTMENT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY’ ILLKLEY GAZETTE ‘THE PRODUCTION IS A FEAST FOR THE EYE’ BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE 1112 WORLD PREMIÈRE A BALLET BY GAVIN MCCAIG October 2021 saw another charming tale added to our repertoire of children’s ballets with the World Première of Pinocchio in the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre. Choreographed by Northern Ballet Junior Soloist Gavin McGaig, this original retelling of the classic children’s story toured to families across the UK, who shared in Pinocchio’s adventures as he discovered that where there is love and honesty, there is always magic. From Edinburgh to Wolverhampton, 14,000 people enjoyed this heart-warming story – no strings attached! 62 Performances 15 Venues 14.2K Live audience 1213 Northern Ballet dancers in Pinocchio. Photo Drew Forsyth 1314 Five years since this sumptuous ballet made its mark, Casanova returned to take us inside the heart and mind of one of the most notorious figures in history. Choreographed by Kenneth Tindall, Casanova toured to Leeds and Sheffield to open our 2022 spring season. A BALLET BY KENNETH TINDALL CASANOVA 18 Performances 2 Venues 7.5K Live audience 1415 ‘SUMPTUOUSLY DECADENT AND SCANDALOUSLY EROTIC’ REVIEWS HUB ‘FULL OF PASSION, SEDUCTION, AND SEXUAL INDULGENCE’ YORKSHIRE LIVE Joseph Taylor and Julie Nunès in Casanova. Photo Emma Kauldhar 15Digital Success throughout 2021/22 Throughout 2021/22 our digital work went from strength to strength as we released informances, international collaborations and a December Digital Season packed with original dance films. ÅNGSTRØM Choreographed by Kenneth Tindall in a unique collaboration with the University of Leeds, ÅNGSTRØM explored the connection between science and ballet, geometry and choreography, challenging our perceptions of science and arts. Supported by Leeds Arts and Humanities Research Institue and the Cultural Institute, with funding from the UKRI Higher Education Innovation Fund. BENEATH THE SURFACE & LETTERS TO MY YOUNGER SELF In collaboration with American Ballet Theatre and Burberry Inspire, we released two original dance films: Beneath The Surface & Letters to My Younger Self. Performed by professional dancers from Northern Ballet and American Ballet Theatre, students from Castelford and Queens inspired the choreography for the films in a first for both ballet companies. 16DANGEROUS LIAISONS IN CINEMA David Nixon CBE’s seductive Dangerous Liaisons was shown in cinemas across the UK and internationally for one night only in September 2021, reaching 2084 people over 214 screenings. KIN Filmed in April 2021, KIN explored the process of grief and redemption woven through David Nixon CBE’s modern retelling of Swan Lake. The first release of our December Digital Season, KIN was created by Kenneth Tindall and Dan Lowenstein with music by Alexandra Harwood. I AM MER-LIN Released as part of our December Digital Season 2021, I AM MER-LIN was Charlotte Edwards’ first film for Northern Ballet. It explored the discovery of identity, leaning into the mythology of Merlin and wizardry and demons as a metaphorical reflection of the choices we make that sculpt us as individuals. Photos Emily Nuttall, Caroline Holden, Amy Kelly and Lottie Maher 1718 A New Era In May 2021 we announced that David Nixon CBE would step down as Artistic Director of Northern Ballet, following 20 hugely successful years at the helm. Chances are if you’re a Northern Ballet fan you’ve enjoyed a David Nixon CBE production. During his time with the Company 29 full-length ballets and 23 one-act works were added to the repertoire, as well as 14 original full-length musical compositions. ‘The time afforded for reflection during the Covid-19 pandemic made it clear that the time for me to pass the Company on to new leadership had come. I wish to thank my dancers past and present, all those who work on the artistic side of the Company and all the creative collaborators I have had the privilege to work with over these years for their priceless contribution towards the Company’s many artistic achievements.’ - David Nixon CBE 1819 Following the search for a new Artistic Director, in January 2022 we announced Federico Bonelli as the Company’s new Artistic Director. Former Principal Dancer at The Royal Ballet, Federico enjoyed a career at the highest level, dancing almost every leading role at the Company. ‘I am thrilled to be joining Northern Ballet as its new Artistic Director and I can’t wait to begin working with this exceptional group of dancers and creatives. Through its history and most recently under David Nixon’s distinguished directorship, Northern Ballet has rightly been renowned for its bold approach to narrative ballet, and it is an honour to build on this legacy.’ - Federico Bonelli Left page: Joseph Taylor in The Great Gatsby. Photo Caroline Holden. Right page: Abigail Prudames and Federico Bonelli in Romeo & Juliet. Photo Emma Kauldhar. 19Next >