Northern Ballet brings to the stage the extraordinary story of Anne Lister, the 19th-century Yorkshire diarist and lesbian pioneer, through a narrative ballet co-produced with the Finnish National Opera and Ballet.
Northern Ballet bring Gentleman Jack to the Festival Theatre from Thursday 1 April to Saturday 3 April 2027. It's the story of Anne Lister, the 19th-century Yorkshire diarist and lesbian pioneer whose secret diaries were only decoded after her death, revealing a life lived on her own terms.
On stage, Lister is played in period costume, leaning on a cane, and she stays at the centre of a world built by the dancers around her, who embody both her surroundings and her words. The choreography is by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, and the music is a new live score by Peter Salem. It's a co-production with the Finnish National Opera and Ballet, and the Northern Ballet Sinfonia will be there to perform Salem's score live.
Northern Ballet has been around since 1969 and is the UK's leading narrative ballet company, known for blending classical dance with theatre. The production has picked up some strong reviews along the way: The Yorkshire Post called it 'innovative, inventive, tender', The Times described it as 'a sensuous ballet salutes the first modern lesbian', and The Telegraph called it 'a sexy delight'.
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There are four performances over the three days: Thursday 1 April at 7:30pm, Friday 2 April at 7:30pm, and Saturday 3 April with a 2:30pm matinee followed by a 7:30pm evening show. Tickets are £29.50 to £61.50, and the production features Peter Salem, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Christopher Ash, and Louise Flanagan alongside the company.
