1Autumn 2009

Artistic DirectorDavid Nixon

National Tour Partner

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from the Artistic Director

There has been an incredible journey during the past 40 years and it has been my privilege to be at the helm for the last eight. The Company continues to perform a unique combination of acting and dance and the high level of achievement in both these areas was visible in the revival of Wuthering Heights this spring. Three casts filled the stage with refined and expressive dancing and performed with an overwhelming emotional passion that came flooding across the stage to the audience. These performances reiterated for me the unique place that NBT holds; combining great dancing with an unrivalled ability to tell a story. So often as a company we have not been outspoken enough about this quality and its power to move and create empathy with its audience. Part of the journey of this 40th anniversary has been for me to admit how proud I am of what we have achieved and the quality of engagement we give.

The season opens with the return of my Dracula and our regular visit to the fantastic West Yorkshire Playhouse. This interpretation of Bram Stoker’s novel is a more intimate look at the attraction and expulsion of the creature of the night, reality versus imagination and simultaneously an exploration of

attraction that can reach beyond all other powers. It is wonderful to be performing it again in the Playhouse and building upon our relationship with this special theatre.

We continue to perform Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Wuthering Heights. With its sweeping and beautiful original score this production fits the Company magnificently, providing the showcase with which to see NBT at its finest.

The season draws to a close with a return of our most popular production A Christmas Carol and our delightful Peter Pan which will fly onto the Grand stage and take us all to Neverland; a return to the innocence and unbridled imagination of our childhood.

On 5 December NBT alumni will join existing dancers at Leeds Grand for a one-off celebration led by the return of Jeremy Kerridge as Scrooge. This will be a great event as 40 years melt into one evening.

The following weekend on 12 December will see another unique NBT event; our Gala performance in aid of the momentum campaign. Thanks to the generosity of many of our colleagues, an elite group of the best dancers in the UK

alongside dancers from the Stuttgart Ballet and Les Ballets de Monte Carlo, to name but two, will join NBT in a sensational celebratory performance. Never has Leeds been treated to such an extensive line up with the Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, English National Ballet and Rambert among the participants. Newly created short works for the evening will include an original by Gillian Lynne and the NBT dancers in a Wayne McGregor piece, making this an unmissable event.

All in all, a great way to celebrate 40 years and to move forward into the future, where the new building on Quarry Hill heralds a new age of possibilities.

I hope that you will join us for many of our performances this autumn and that if you have not already done so you will give to the momentum campaign.

A final thank you to all our audiences, sponsors, Board of Directors and Chair, Bernard Atha, for supporting NBT and helping us to make this a great company.

WelcomeThe autumn brings a close to our 40th anniversary season. The year began with a mixed programme of immense diversity showcasing the strength of the Company and anchored by the revival of Gillian Lynne’s signature work A Simple Man. As the director of NBT it was a fascinating moment in time from which to observe and reflect on the Company.

Royal Patron: HRH The Earl of Wessex KG, KCVONorthern Ballet Theatre: Winners of the Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards Patrons Award 2008

Photo: Richard Moran

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David NixonArtistic Director

Photo : Bill Cooper

David Nixon trained as a dancer, first in Chatham, Ontario and then at the National Ballet School of Canada where his training began in earnest. It was during his time there that he first became interested in choreography, helping to revive a choreographic workshop with the approval of school director Betty Oliphant. After further training in Europe he returned to Canada to train with Erik Bruhn and the great Russian teacher, Eugene Valukin.

Nixon’s career began at the National Ballet of Canada where he progressed rapidly through the ranks to become a principal dancer, dancing lead roles in the classical and contemporary repertoire. In 1985 he joined the Deutsche Oper Ballet in Berlin as principal dancer where he won the Critics Award for Best Male Performance (1987) and continued to increase his own choreographic output. This included producing and directing a successful mixed programme - David

Nixon’s Liaisons - at the Hebbel Theatre, Berlin in 1990.

Nixon left Berlin for a series of principal guest artist positions with National Ballet of Canada, Bayerisches Staatsballett, Munich and Royal Winnipeg Ballet before returning to Deutsche Oper Ballet in 1994 as first ballet master. His guest artist credits also include: Birmingham Royal Ballet; Komische Oper; Deutsche Staatsoper; Hamburg Ballet and Sydney City Ballet.

In 1994 David became Artistic Director of BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio USA. During his six-years with the company he added sixteen world and fifteen company premi eres to the repertoire. Companies in Canada, the USA and South Africa have since staged David’s productions.

David came to NBT in 2001 and has revitalised the Company, adding an impressive array of new works into the repertoire including the hugely popular

Madame Butterfly, Wuthering Heights, the Gershwin extravaganza, I Got Rhythm, Swan Lake, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Peter Pan, Dracula, The Three Musketeers, A Sleeping Beauty Tale, and The Nutcracker. His dark and exciting new production of Hamlet toured in Spring 2008.

His work has received recognition: A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Three Musketeers were nominated for Olivier awards; The Three Musketeers won a Manchester Evening News (MEN) Theatre Award and Madame Butterfly and A Midsummer Night’s Dream were nominated for MEN Awards; David was voted Director of the Year by readers of Dance Europe in 2003 and 2006; and NBT received the audience award at the Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards for three successive years (2004, 2005, 2006).

Recently David has reproduced The Nutcracker in Slovenia and in The Three Musketeers in Tallin, Estonia.

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momentum

Photos: NBT Webcam

BUILDING A FUTURE FOR DANCE IN THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

Northern Ballet Theatre and Phoenix Dance Theatre’s dream of a purpose built home in the heart of Leeds is moving ever closer to reality. Work started on site in April 2009 with completion scheduled for August 2010.

Our headquarters on Quarry Hill will be an important addition to the cultural landscape of Leeds, Yorkshire and the north of England. It will be the largest purpose built space for dance outside London and will be a key part of the national dance infrastructure. The building is starting to take shape now.To watch it grow, visit: www.building-momentum.co.uk

SPACE TO DREAM

Our new headquarters will give us the much-needed creative space to allow us to grow as we move forward through the 21st century. It will provide spaces to produce new work and rehearse existing repertoire to tour throughout the UK and overseas.

A 230-seat studio theatre will give opportunities for our Artistic Director and other choreographers to experiment with new work; our work with communities and young dancers will have room to expand and develop, allowing everyone to benefit from world-class training closer to home. The performance space will offer a first-class environment for audiences to see the Company at work in rehearsal, performance and training.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Over £1.3 million has now been raised for the momentum campaign since its launch in February 2008. In July this year Trustees of The Monument Trust awarded our project a grant of £200,000. This major contribution from a large national trust confirms the project’s importance and the role it will play in shaping the cultural fabric of the north of England. Such support, combined with the generosity of several regional trusts, businesses and individuals means that we are close to delivering the target set for momentum.

It is testimony to the kindness and commitment of our supporters that we now have just £500,000 left to raise to reach our goal. If you can help the momentum of our campaign continue, please contact Melanie Aram on0113 274 5355 or visit www.building-momentum.co.uk

25 June 09 09 July 09

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Friends ofNorthern Ballet Theatre

Photos: Lisa Stonehouse & Simon Lawson

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Like ballet? Like NBT? Want to see a bit more of what goes on behind the scenes meet some of the dancers, come along to open rehearsals and dress rehearsals? Like the idea of meeting like-minded people?

For just £25 a year you could do all of these things whilst helping NBT continue its work.

Our Friends play a crucial role in the Company. In the last five years memberships and donations have generated income of £200,000, making a valuable contribution towards the cost of new productions, costumes, sets and other projects. Friends are passionate about the Company and the art form and are important ambassadors, bringing in new audiences to performances and helping us to introduce ballet to as many people as possible.

For more information on how to become a Friend and the different types of membership, fill in the postcard in this programme or contact Judith Baker on 0113 274 5355, judith.baker@northernballettheatre.co.uk. You can also buy Friend’s memberships online.

Christmas is coming too – Friend’s membership lasts a whole year so could be the perfect present for the ballet lover inyour life.

We would like to thank all of our Friends, with a particular thanks to the following Patron level Friends.

Mr & Mrs J Bingham, Mr & Mrs E & VJ EllisDr Jonathan Cove, Miss J McNultyMrs Judith Macdonald, Mr Richard HandbyMr Mark Roberson, Mrs Juliet JowittMr & Mrs P Meyrick, Mr Patrick HibbinMr Peter Simpson, Mr David HealNorthern Society of Costumes & TextilesMrs James Cookson, Mrs Kathryn HeaversedgeMrs Susannah Frieze, Mrs Rebecca RooneyMr & Mrs H Wells, Mrs Pauline CopeMrs D Green, Mrs Melanie MorrisMr & Mrs Peter Carroll, Mrs S DeanMrs Miranda Chisenhale-MarshMrs Pat Bruce, Mrs Bonnie J WardMrs Wendy Hall

Northern Ballet Theatre 40th Anniversary GalaAn Enchanted EveningJoin Northern Ballet Theatre and stars from around the world for An Enchanted Evening. Guest dancers from internationally acclaimed companies including The Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Les Ballets de Monte Carlo, Rambert Dance Company and Stuttgart Ballet will join NBT dancers on stage to celebrate our 40th anniversary in style. Tickets start at just £25 so book now for a once in a lifetime opportunity to see all these companies on stage together in Leeds for one magical night.

Tickets for individuals are available from Leeds Grand Theatre on 0844 848 2701* or online at www.leedsgrandtheatre.com*

If you’d like to make the evening extra special and book a place at one of our exclusive dinners, please call Melanie Aram or Janet Myers on 0113 274 5355 for more details.

*Booking fees apply.

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Northern BalletTheatre Orchestra

Photos: Brian Slater

1ST VIOLINSGeoffrey AllanLeader

Susan HallSub Leader

Stella HartikainenHelen BoardmanRaimonda Koço

2ND VIOLINSHayley PomfrettLaura ConcarIan Flower

VIOLASRosalyn CabotHannah Horton

CELLOSSasha VolpovTom Rathbone

DOUBLE BASSSteve Costello

FLUTE/PICCOLODavid SumblerSarah Bull

OBOE/COR ANGLAISMary Gilbert

CLARINETSJoanne Rozario also Alto Sax

Alan Asquith also Bass Clt

BASSOONPaul Boyes

HORNSJohn ThorntonBen Jones

TRUMPETPosition Vacant

Gary Ritson

TROMBONERick Scoates

TIMPANI/PERCUSSIONIan Hood

PERCUSSIONJohn Melbourne

HARPCeline Saout

KEYBOARDChris Hobson

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Music at Northern Ballet TheatreNorthern Ballet Theatre (NBT) believes that live music enhances performance and is committed to music being played live for almost all performances. The NBT Orchestra is made up of 27 players who travel the length and breadth of the UK with the Company, playing for over 150 performances every year.

The Orchestra is also available to play concerts and performances outside the main tour such as its annual ‘Classical Fantasia’ at Kirkstall Abbey. If you would like to book the Orchestra for a concert, please contact Barry Collarbone, Orchestra and Concerts Manager: barry.collarbone@northernballettheatre.co.uk

NBT’s commitment to live music also extends to all training and workshops where a musician accompanies all classes.

DISCOGRAPHY: 20th Century English Ballets and Dracula (Naxos); The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Black Box); Great Expectations (NPC Records); A Streetcar Named Desire (Doyen); Stephen Warbeck’s Peter Pan (Quartz); Sir Malcolm Arnold, The Three Musketeers (Quartz).

Music Staff

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JOHN PRYCE-JONESMusic Director

John joined Northern Ballet Theatre in 1992.Born: South Wales.Educated: Worcester, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. Studied with George Hurst and Rafael Kubelik.Companies: Welsh National Opera, Opera North (founder Chorus Master), Scottish Opera (Head of Music), D’Oyly Carte Opera Co.(MD) Halifax Choral Society (MD).John has a fanatical commitment to expanding the provision of music for young people and is Artistic Director of NOEL (Northern Orchestral Enterprises Ltd.), which undertakes extensive educational work and which runs the Yorkshire Youth Choir and Orchestra.Orchestras: Has conducted throughout the UK with many of the major orchestras, and overseas in eleven different countries. Personal: John is married to a musician, Alison, who teaches and conducts numerous choirs, and has two children – a son, Rodric, a member of the successful band Idlewild, and a 17 year old daughter, Catrin.

GEOFFREY ALLANOrchestra Leader

Geoffrey joined Northern Ballet Theatre in 1993.Born: Ayrshire, Scotland.Trained: Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Studied with the great violinist Nathan Milstein in London and Vienna.Companies/Organisations: Leader Scottish Ballet, New D’Oyly Carte Opera, North of England Chamber Orchestra.Guest Performances: Guest Leader Welsh National Opera, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, L’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande in Geneva, Ulster Orchestra, English National Orchestra and National Symphony Orchestra with Katherine Jenkins and Hayley Westenra. In January 2007 recorded works for violin and orchestra by film and light music composer Angela Morley with Royal Ballet Sinfonia.Career Highlights: Solo performances with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in broadcasts of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto and Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole. He has performed with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra as soloist and Guest Leader.Personal: A keen driver, he has on a number of occasions travelled to Germany to drive the famous Nurburgring racetrack.

NIGEL GAYNORAssistant Music Director

Nigel joined Northern Ballet Theatre in 1998.Born: Sydney, Australia.Educated/Trained: Conservatorium of Music in Sydney, Aspen Music Festival School.Companies/Organisations: The Australian Ballet, English National Ballet, Ballet Philippines, Canterbury International Ballet, New Zealand and numerous leading international orchestras.Guest Performances Include: Conducting Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand for a ballet Gala with principal dancers from American Ballet Theatre, conducting Philippines Philharmonic in Manila for a ballet Gala with dancers worldwide, conducting the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Pacific Orchestra USA, Shanghai Philharmonic, Moscow Symphony, State Orchestra of Victoria, The Australian Opera & Ballet Orchestra, and most of Australia’s symphony orchestras. A regular guest conductor with English National Ballet, Nigel conducted Agnes Oaks’s final career performance of The Sleeping Beauty in 2008. Will music direct English National Ballet’s tour to Barcelona in 2009.Career Highlights: Working with Rudolf Nureyev, Sir Robert Helpmann and Jiri Kylián; conducting The Australian Ballet’s Red Earth on live television; Music Directing Northern Ballet Theatre’s China tours; Music Directing English National Ballet’s tour to Taiwan 2006 and conducting their Royal Albert Hall seasons of Swan Lake 2004, 2007; Performing in the Sydney Opera House, Royal Opera House Covent Garden and Coliseum, London, Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg, Metropolitan Opera House, New York, Lincoln Centre, Washington, NHK, Tokyo, Poly Theatre, Beijing and the Spoleto Festival in Italy.Personal: Nigel is also a composer, and takes a great personal interest in music education in dance. He has produced seven volumes of Beautiful Music for Ballet Class which are sold around the world.

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Connect with Northern Ballet Theatre

Photos: Top: Jo Dean, Bottom: Simon Lawson, Right: Brian Slater

There are many ways to get more from Northern Ballet Theatre (NBT), whether at your local venue, through classes at our Leeds base or by keeping in touch with what we are doing online.

Whilst on tour, you can find out more about NBT and the production at your venue with a talk or try out some of the dance for yourself in an open workshop. Become a Friend of NBT and you can watch Company class at any venue on tour as well as coming to special open rehearsals.

If you’d like to dance on a more regular basis then there are a range of classes at our Leeds base, whether you’re looking for a new hobby or are a young person interested in pursuing a career in dance. With classes for ages 6 and up, an Easter course and an intensive Summer School, there’s plenty to choose from to suit all abilities. For more information on classes, auditions and timetables visit our website.

NBT is also renowned for our work with schools around the UK, not only with workshops based on productions but also cross-curriculum projects and teacher training. For more information and to see case studies of projects in schools, visit our website.

There are plenty of ways to keep in touch and we’re always keen to hear what you have to say about NBT, our productions and the work we do.

Find us on facebook: Join our fan pageFollow us on twitter: NBTliveLeave reviews and feedback at ballet.co.ukEmail us at info@northernballettheatre.co.ukPhone us on 0113 274 5355Write to us at West Park Centre, Spen Lane, Leeds, LS16 5BE

Dracula

Photo: HANSON

Choreographer, Director& Costume Designer:David NixonSet Designer:Ali AllenLighting Designer:Tim MitchellMusic by:Alfred SchnittkeSergei RachmaninovArvo PärtMichael Daugherty

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DraculaThe StoryACT IPrologueA man, Dracula, steps from a coffin.

VoyageJonathan Harker, a young English lawyer, boards a carriage for the final leg of a journey that has brought him far from home.

Arrival and Sojourn Jonathan reads through his papers as Count Dracula watches. Jonathan is terrorised by the vampire, but is what happens reality, fantasy, or both?

The Plot ThickensAs Jonathan gazes at his beloved Mina’s photograph, Count Dracula reaches into his mind and conjures a living image. He leaves, locking the door and Jonathan is alone until he is joined by the Brides of Dracula. The women are dispersed by an angry Dracula who claims Jonathan for himself. Jonathan watches Dracula depart for England as the real Mina and Lucy are seen in an English garden.

EngagementThe young Lucy Westenra awaits her suitors. The intelligent but melancholic Dr. Jack Seward is rejected, whilst the confident and flamboyant Hon. Arthur Holmwood is accepted.

Fluttering BatsDracula, skittering among his fellow bats, arrives atRenfield’s cell.

The SanatoriumDr. Seward returns to study his most peculiar patient, Renfield. Renfield, who hungers after bugs, spiders and all living things, grows more violent as he cannot get his way.

ForeshadowingWhilst sleep-walking, Lucy Westenra is lured into a cemetery by Dracula. He feeds upon her blood. Once he has had his fill, he feeds Lucy his own blood.

CelebrationArthur Holmwood and Lucy hold a party to celebrate their engagement but Lucy arrives late on the arm of an unknown stranger. Lucy’s unusual behaviour draws attention from the other guests. As the party ends, she runs out in embarrassment.

One DanceDracula stops Mina from following Lucy. Time stands still. Dracula who should feed upon Mina cannot; Mina who should be repulsed by Dracula, is drawn toward him. Unbidden, the vision of Jonathan breaks in. Mina leaves after reading a message that Jonathan has returned.

Anger, RetributionDr. Van Helsing arrives to treat Lucy. Tortured by the grasp Mina has upon him, Dracula serves his retribution upon Lucy. Holmwood, Seward and Van Helsing arrive. They hope to save Lucy but they are too late.

Photo: HANSON

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ACT I lFuneralFinal respects are paid to Lucy as she is interred in the Westenra family vault.

GrievingFriends and lovers grieve the loss of Lucy. Mina cannot escape her thoughts of Dracula.

FreedomVan Helsing leads the young men back to the vault. To their horror, the coffin is empty. Lucy returns as dawn approaches. Van Helsing arranges that Lucy be staked and beheaded.

The HuntThe men return, with Mina, to the Sanatorium where she is to spend the night. Van Helsing hypnotises Renfield and learns of Dracula’s hiding place. The men destroy Dracula’s crates, bearing unhallowed earth. Dracula punishes Renfield and seeks out Mina for his revenge.

LoveAlone in her room Mina realises she is helpless in her love for Dracula. Out of the night the exhausted and hunted Dracula arrives.

DiscoveryThe men return to discover Renfield dead and Mina in Dracula’s arms. He flees into the night.

Paths to be FollowedJonathan again finds his wife in one of her strange trances. She attempts to escape into the night but is stopped by Van Helsing, Holmwood, and Seward. Van Helsing leads them all on his crusade to free Mina and the world from Dracula.

ACT IFaust Cantata (opening) - Alfred SchnittkeConcerto Grosso no.1 - Alfred Schnittke (1st movt.)(K)ein Sommernachtstraum - Alfred SchnittkeSuite (in the olden style) - Alfred Schnittke (5th movt.)Concerto grosso no.1 - Alfred Schnittke (2nd movt.)from Requiem - Alfred SchnittkeSymphonic Dances, op. 45. II Andante con moto - Sergei RachmaninovIn memoriam - Alfred SchnittkeConcerto grosso no.1 - Alfred Schnittke

ACT I lfrom Requiem - Alfred SchnittkeCollected Songs Where Every Verse is Filled with Grief - Alfred Schnittkefrom Requiem - Alfred SchnittkeWenn Bach Bienen Gezüchtet hätte - Arvo PärtSpiegel im Spiegel - Arvo Pärtfrom Requiem - Alfred SchnittkeRed Cape Tango (5th movement of Metropolis symphony )- Michael Daugherty

Essentially the music for this production of Dracula is by Alfred Schnittke (1934-1998), with additional pieces by Arvo Pärt (b. 1935), Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943) and Michael Daugherty (b. 1954). Schnittke and Pärt were born within a year of each other in Eastern Europe - both had clashes with the authorities in their native countries (Pärt in Estonia, Schnittke in the USSR) and both make use of a stylistic eclecticism which is immediately recognisable. Where the two composers differ is in their outlook on life – Pärt is deeply

The Music of Draculareligious and most of his later pieces reflect this. Schnittke on the other hand was anti almost everything and took mischievous delight in the unlikely juxtaposition of incompatible musical ideas – for example the very beginning of his Faust Cantata with which the ballet opens contains a tango, and a parody of the opening of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion played simultaneously. He uses the simplest of tunes - yes, even in a ballet on Dracula you can have tunes - and reworks them using strange sonorities (a piano with bits of rubber wedged between the strings is responsible for the extraordinary noise at the start of his Concerto Grosso no. 1). This irreverent deconstruction of simple material is at the heart of Schnittke’s compositional process, and is fitting to the not quite real world of Dracula, where life, half-life, hypnosis and death intermingle in an eerie silence.

Silence too is an essential component in Arvo Pärt’s work – the simplest of chordal progressions coming out of total stillness creates a timeless atmosphere in Spiegel im Spiegel (Mirror in the mirror). The other work by Pärt, Wenn Bach Bienen gezüchtet hätte (If Bach had been a bee-keeper) is about musically delicate disturbances resolving in serenity.

As Schnittke was, Michael Daugherty is also apparently an authority on contemporary popular music. His Red Cape Tango is an orchestral tour de force based on the plainsong Dies Irae, a hymn sung at Requiem Masses describing the Day of Judgement. Rachmaninov too was haunted by this theme, (it occurs in his Paganini Rhapsody and also in the third of his Symphonic Dances), and the movement in our ballet is a languid waltz, part seductive, part sad, and like all the music chosen for this ballet open to a wide range of emotional interpretation.

John Longstaff

PRODUCTION CREDITS: Dracula

Original Production Manager: Tim AngerRevival Production Manager: Andy WaddingtonOriginal Set Construction: Jon Moorhouse, Peter DeaconMike Roberts, Works-Of-IronRevival Set Construction: Steve Wilkins, Sid Taylor, Jim HannonScenic Artists: Dave Gillan, Matt Grace, Cathy StewartBrendan CrokerAssisted by: Alex CuttillProps: Ali Allen, Alex Christie, Simon Fitzgerald, Naomi ParkerTopshow, Northern Ballet Theatre Stage ManagementCage Flying: Unusual RiggingWardrobe Supervisor: Kim BrassleyAssisted by: Beth Stocks, Laura O’Connor, Mikhaila Pye, Heather BurttCarley MarshLadies costumes made by: Julie Anderson and Sarah Anderson Dracula, Harker, Arthur, Van Helsing and Renfield made by: Phil Reynolds, assisted by Sue MacKenzie, Amanda Hall, Angelina Peroni Anna Von Maltzahn and Judith Edgley.

Seward and Asylum Attendant by: Becky Graham.Dyeing and breaking down of costumes by: Beth Stocks.Wigs and make-up supervisor: Gavin RenderAssisted by: Georgina GabbiePointe Shoes by: Freed of LondonFaust Cantata, Collected Songs where Every Verse is Filled With Grief, Concerto grosso No. 1, (K)ein Sommernachtstraum by Alfred Schnittke and Symphonic Dances by: Sergei Rachmaninov by permission of Boosey and Hawkes Music Publishers Limited Requiem and In Memoriam by: Alfred Schnittke licensed by arrangement with Peters Edition Limited, London Wenn Bach Bienen Gezüchtet hätte and Spiegel im Spiegel by: Arvo Pärt by arrangement with Universal Edition (London) Ltd. Red Cape Tango (5th movement of Metropolis Symphony) by: Michael Daugherty by arrangement with Faber Music Limited, London on behalf of Peermusic New York.

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David Nixon’s Notes on DraculaThe popularity of Bram Stoker’s Dracula has not diminished since its first publication in 1897 but instead has not only outlived its author, but also gained popularity and many new interpretations.

Although the belief in vampires had been spoken about in whispers and darkness long before the publication of Dracula it was really with the arrival of Bram Stoker’s novel that the myth came into the light of day. What to many may at first appear as only a dark and sinister horror fantasy, with further study reveals a truthful interpretation about the warring contradictions of human nature.

What would you give to live forever rather than facing the unknown of death? To what degree of primitive and unrestricted evil would you accept falling just to remain alive and young forever? What would you give to be free of the rules and confinement of morality liberating the beast and all unfilled desires within? This of course can be countered by morality questions; to what ends are we prepared to let our bonds of friendship and love take us? How powerful and strengthened do our moral beliefs become when facing real opponents? How do we put aside all we know and believe to face and deal with a new and hitherto unbelievable reality?

These are among the questions that fascinated me when I approached the ballet. All readers take away different images from a book and the ballet is therefore made up of those images which most impressed me. The second interest was the contradictions within the tale. Vampires are dead yet live, we are fearful and yet simultaneously attracted, we look to light for its ability to expose but we also hide in the shadows of darkness and we sometimes are unable to separate reality from fantasy. Finally the question of love, not romantic or Christian love, but love that must have and possess knowing neither good nor evil and that consumes our being no matter who or what we are.

The ballet is supported through Ali Allen’s dark and transforming set where things cannot only appear to be other than first thought but where the absence of light can devour those within. The costumes conjure up the suppression and morality of the Victorian society and the clearly drawn lines of masculine and feminine also transform into dramatized gothic inspired liberation that comes with sensual transformation and freedom. Finally the score, compiled by Michael Popov, which itself is sometimes a perversion of its original intent, much like Dracula and with its tones and heightened dynamics conjures up the other world of this remarkable story.

Photo: Brian Slater

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Photo: Brian Slater

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17Creative Arts at the new and exciting Leeds City College leedscitycollege.ac.uk

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Northern Ballet Theatre AcademyTraining and classes for ages 6+

www.northernballettheatre.co.uk

Your future starts here

ALI ALLEN Set Designer

Born: Somerset, England.Trained/Educated: Studied Fine Art at Newcastle University.Previous Work: Ali’s work has extended over a wide variety of areas including carnival, sculpture, pantomime, opera and outdoor theatre projects. Her work also includes: Madame Butterfly and Wuthering Heights for Northern Ballet Theatre, Rumblefish, Bloodtide, Lord of the Flies, The Twits and Fungus the Bogeyman for Pilot Theatre, Kes and Brassed Off for Lawrence Batley Theatre, Bollywood Jane for Leicester Haymarket, Once upon a Quarry Hill for West Yorkshire Playhouse, Look Back in Anger for Harrogate Theatre, Where’s Vietnam? for Red Ladder’s 40th Anniversary at West Yorkshire Playhouse. Most recently she has been working with writer Trevor Griffiths on a touring set for Camel station, and The Little Mermaid for Dundee Repertory Theatre.Highlights: Winning Best Float for Trinidad Carnival, and more recently working with 30 people and Red Ladder Theatre Company on theshow Where’s Vietnam?

TIM MITCHELL Lighting Designer

Born: South Wales.Educated/trained: Fellow of the Royal Welsh College of Music and DramaTim has previously designed the lighting for the Northern Ballet Theatre’s production of Hamlet, for which he received A Knight of Illuminations nomination for Dance. His other dance credits include The Snowman (Korea/ Sadler’s Well/ Birmingham Rep) and The Lady and The Fool (Birmingham Royal Ballet).

Designing extensively for the theatre, his most recent credits include Oklahoma!, Grapes of Wrath (also tour) and Sir Trevor Nunn’s production of Cyrano De Bergerac (all Chichester Festival Theatre, for whom he is an associate); the RSC’s Hamlet (starring David Tennant); Dirty Dancing (West End/ Utrecht/ USA/ Toronto/ Berlin/ Hamburg); A Month in the Country, The Real Thing (Salisbury); Amongst Friends, Alphabetical Order (Hampstead Theatre); When We Are Married (West Yorkshire Playhouse); Imagine This (West End/ Plymouth); Toyer (Arts Theatre) and Glamour (Nottingham). Forthcoming productions include Twelfth Night (RSC); Arsenic and Old Lace (Salisbury); East is East (Birmingham Rep) Frau Ohne Schatten (Mariinsky Theatre) and Darker Shores (Hampstead).

Other theatre credits include: Sleeping Beauty (New York, Barbican, Young Vic); Henry IV Parts I & II (Washington Shakespeare Theatre) for which he received a Helen Hayes award nomination; The Play What I Wrote (Broadway/West End); Noises Off (Broadway/West End/National); Cinderella (Old Vic); Bad Girls The Musical, Otherwise Engaged, As You Like It, Romeo and Juliet, Of Mice and Men, Sweet Panic (all West End); Nocturne, Big White Fog, The Lightning Play, Enemies, Blood Wedding, Whistling Psyche, Brighton Rock (Almeida); Hamlet (Japan/Sadlers Wells); The Cherry Orchard, (Sheffield Crucible); A Lie of the Mind, Merrily We Roll Along (Donmar) and Lieutenant of Inishmore (RSC /Garrick).

Tim has also worked extensively for the RSC, including Love’s Labour’s Lost and A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the 2008 season; Henry IV Parts I & II (Olivier Award nomination), A Winter’s Tale, Merry Wives the Musical, Coriolanus, Women Beware Women, Oronoko, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, King Lear, Othello, A Comedy of Errors, The Taming of The Shrew, Antony and Cleopatra, Much Ado About Nothing, Macbeth, Measure for Measure and Richard III, most of which transferred to the West End, Japan or Washington.

Opera includes productions for: WNO, Mariinsky Theatre Russia, Icelandic Opera, Kammeroper Vienna, Berlin Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra.

Creative TeamDAVID NIXONChoreographer, Directorand Costume DesignerSee page 4

Photo: Brian Slater

Music by

ALFRED SCHNITTKESERGEI RACHMANINOVARVO PäRTMICHAEL DAUGHERTY

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Central School of Ballet10 Herbal HillClerkenwell RoadLondon EC1R 5EGTel: 020 7837 6332info@csbschool.co.ukwww.centralschoolofballet.co.uk

CentralSchoolof BalletProfessional Performers CourseA full-time three year course leading to a BA (Hons)degree in Professional Dance and Performance.

Central Dance DaysHeld throughout the year, across the UK, theseworkshops are designed to inspire your training andhelp you discover more about life in full-time ballettuition.

For more information please visit our website:www.centralschoolofballet.co.uk

NBT Winter 09 149 x 210:A4 Display Copy 27/7/09 14:45 Page 1

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Accenture is delighted to be a platinum level partner of Northern Ballet Theatre and season sponsor: Glasgow 2010. We wish the company every success with this season's tour.

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We are pleased to support Northern Ballet Theatrewhere high performance is a way of life.

Accenture “Northern Ballet”

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Ballet Staff

DANIEL DE ANDRADEBallet Master

Daniel joined the Company in 1995 as a Principal Dancer. He became Ballet Master in 2003.Born: Brazil.Trained: Musika Centro de Estudos, Hammond School of Dancing.Previous Companies: National Ballet of Portugal, London City Ballet, Zurich Ballet, Scottish Ballet. Favourite Roles: Heathcliff, Wuthering Heights, Romeo, Romeo & Juliet, Dracula, Dracula and Basilio, Don Quixote. Career Highlights: Creating the role of José in Carmen.Guest Performances: Three commemorative galas in Brazil to celebrate the Royal Academy of Dance’s 75th Anniversary.Guest Teaching: Worked with the Brazilian Deborah Colker Dance Company during their 2006 UK tour and is a frequent guest teacher at Phoenix Dance Theatre, Bern Ballet, Royal Academy of Dance and Central School of Ballet among others.Choreography: Was a regular participant of the Zurich Opera House Ballet Choreographers’ workshops; organised the 1994 Dancers’ Choreographic workshop for Scottish Ballet; in 2009 choreographed all the fight scenes for the re-staging of David Nixon’s The Three Musketeers for the Estonian Opera House Ballet. Personal: Daniel lives in Cleveland with his wife Pamela and their five childrenDale, Lewis, Kieran, Ellise and Madeline.

YOKO ICHINOBallet Mistress

Born: Los Angeles.Trained: Trained with Mia Slavenska in Los Angeles.Previous Companies: American Ballet Theatre, National Ballet of Canada, Stuttgart Ballet. Guest Performances: Joffrey Ballet, Tokyo Ballet, Ballet de Monte Carlo, Australian Ballet, Sydney Ballet, Royal New Zealand Ballet, the Deutsche Oper Ballet, Berlin, Bayerishes Staats Oper Ballet, Munich and Birmingham Royal Ballet.Career Highlights: Becoming the first American trained, and American woman, to win a medal at the prestigious Third International Ballet Competition in Moscow in 1977; dancing opposite such artists as Rudolf Nureyev, Helgi Tomasson, Anthony Dowell and Fernando Bujones.Personal: Yoko is married to Artistic Director David Nixon. She was Director of the Professional Training Programme at BalletMet (1996 – 2001), has been invited to be a guest teacher in schools and companies around the world and is delighted to be working with Northern Ballet Theatre whilst continuing her successful international teaching career.

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Board and Staff

ARTISTICArtistic Director David NixonBallet Master Daniel de AndradeBallet Mistress Yoko IchinoGuest Teachers Antonio Castilla Andria Hall David Paul Kierce Raymond SmithDramatic Associate Patricia Doyle

BUSINESSChief Executive Mark SkipperFinance Director Judith HartleyCompany Manager Steve HughesFinance Manager Joanne GomersallFinance Officer Kath HollidayPA to the Directors Diane TabernReceptionists Karen Dixon Jo Waddington

COMMUNICATIONSHead of Marketing Amy DuttonHead of Media & PR Laraine PensonMedia & PR Manager Ruth Burke-KennedyAudience Development Stephanie BellOfficerMarketing Officer Emma MooneyMedia & PR Officer Catherine MullaneyWeb & Graphics Officer Phill Garnett

FUNDRAISINGDirector of Fundraising Jon InghamCapital Campaign Manager Melanie AramCorporate Fundraising Janet MyersManagerFriends and Events Judith BakerManager Trust and Foundations Megan McLoughlinOfficer

LEARNING & ACCESSDirector of Learning Selina McGonagle& AccessDance Education Officers Sophie Alder Caroline BurnLearning & Access Jo DeanCo-ordinator

MUSICMusic Director John Pryce-JonesAssistant Music Director Nigel GaynorOrchestra & Barry CollarboneConcerts ManagerCompany/ Chris HobsonOrchestra Pianist Orchestra Pit Manager Steve Costello

NBT ACADEMY Curriculum Manager Yoko IchinoClassical Training Officer Hannah KirkpatrickClassical Training Assistant Rebecca Smith Classical Training Pianists Richard Kenwood- Herriott David Plumpton Classical Training Teacher Cara O’Shea

STAGE MANAGEMENT Stage Manager Olivia Dermot WalshDeputy Stage Manager Chun-Yen ChiaAssistant Stage Manager Katie Turner

TECHNICALTechnical Director Andy WaddingtonTechnical Manager Steve WilkinsChief Electrician Matt MillwardDeputy Chief Electrician Martin SmithAssistant Electricians Abigail Wilkinson Laura SprakeDeputy Chief Stage Sid TaylorTechnicianFlyman/Rigger Jim Hannon Stage Technician Joe StrangeHead of Wardrobe Kim BrassleyTouring Wardrobe Mikhaila PyeManagerSenior Touring Heather Burtt Wardrobe Assistant Wardrobe Assistant Carley MarshWigs Manager Georgina Gabbie

Transport Stagefreight

IT CONSULTANT Neil Jarman

MEDICALPhysiotherapy Services Sport & Spinal Physiotherapy Ltd, Leeds Liz Atha Anna Evans Company Doctor Dr Sarah L Lawton MA (cantab), MBB, Chir. RCOG

Company Counsellor Lynne Jackson

BOARD OF DIRECTORSCouncillor Bernard Atha CBE (Chair)

Professor Chris BaileyDr Jo ButterworthGraham DewhirstDavid Forbes (Deputy Chair)

Susie HargreavesAlan HarrisonDenise JaggerProfessor Simon LeeCath LennonCouncillor John ProcterMaxine RoomPhil SwallowVictoria Tomlinson

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENTSGurth Hoyer MillarDavid LloydSir John Manduell CBESir Simon Towneley KVCO JP

VICE PRESIDENTSTim CollinsJudith Donovan CBEJon HammondDavid HealJuliet JowittPaul KaisermanPaul LeeMalcolm Oliver

OBSERVERSMathew Sims, Leeds CCCouncillor Val Slater, West Yorkshire Grants

ASSESSORSIvor Davies, ACE YorkshirePam Johnson, ACE Yorkshire

Programme compiled by NBT CommunicationsOriginal Design Concept by Feast CreativeLayout by Design ITPrint by Axis

Published Sept 2009

Back (left to right): Georgina May, Darren Goldsmith, Nathalie Léger, Kenneth Tindall, Martha LeeboltFront (left to right): Tobias Batley, Pippa Moore, Hironao Takahashi, Hannah Bateman, Christopher Hinton-Lewis

Leading Artists

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HANNAH BATEMANFirst Soloist

Hannah joined the Company in 2002.Born: Surrey, England.Trained: Susan Robinson School of Ballet; Central School of Ballet.Previous Companies: The Israel Ballet.Favourite Roles: Juliet and Nurse, Romeo & Juliet; Dracula’s Bride, Dracula; Kate, Madame Butterfly; ‘Embraceable You’, I Got Rhythm; Big swans, Swan Lake; Hermia, A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Isabella, Wuthering Heights. Also enjoyed dancing in Serenade, Onegin, Hamlet, The Nutcracker and Lambarena.Career Highlights: Dancing Juliet in Romeo & Juliet and Queen Anne in The Three Musketeers; being featured on the posters for Swan Lake and A Sleeping Beauty Tale; dancing with the Kirov Ballet at the Royal Opera House; creating the two girls garden dance with Martha Leebolt in A Sleeping Beauty Tale.Personal: Enjoys going to the theatre and cinema and going out for dinner. Loves spending time at home with her boyfriend.

TOBIAS BATLEYFirst Soloist

Tobias joined the Company in 2004.Born: Manchester, England.Trained: Hammond School of Dance; Royal Ballet School.Previous Companies: Cannes Jeune Ballet.Favourite Roles: Harker, Dracula; Demetrius, A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Heathcliff, Wuthering Heights.Personal: Enjoys city living, eating out and going to the cinema.

DARREN GOLDSMITHPremier Dancer

Darren joined the Company in 1993. Born: Rochford, England.Trained: Royal Ballet School.Favourite Roles: Hook, Peter Pan; Scrooge, A Christmas Carol; Tybalt and Romeo, Romeo & Juliet; Dracula, Dracula; The Prince, Cinderella; Pinkerton, Madame Butterfly; Korak, A Sleeping Beauty Tale; Bottom and Oberon, A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Claudius, Hamlet; Drosselmeyer, The Nutcracker; Manette, A Tale of Two Cities; Lowry, A Simple Man. Career Highlights: Adeline Genée Bronze Medal; RAD Young Dancer Award; Royal Ballet School Markova-Bagrit Award.Guest Performances: In Japan for the Royal Academy of Dance.Personal: Darren is studying photography and took the photograph for NBT’s La Traviata poster. He also enjoys watching football and playing golf.

CHRISTOPHER HINTON - LEWISPremier Dancer

Christopher joined the Company in 2000. Born: Wolverhampton, England.Trained: Walsall Academy of Dance; Senior Associate at Royal Ballet School; English National Ballet School.Previous Companies: Israel Ballet.

Favourite Roles: Demetrius, A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Romeo and Mercutio, Romeo & Juliet; Valmont, Dangerous Liaisons; Dracula, Dracula; Scrooge, A Christmas Carol; Hamlet, Hamlet. Career Highlights: The choreographic process of creating Hamlet and guesting with Estonia Ballet as D’Artagnan. Personal: Chris enjoys going to the gym, reading and playing golf.

MARTHA LEEBOLTPremier Dancer

Martha joined the Company in 2001. Born: Anaheim, California, USA.Trained: Black Mountain Dance Center; BalletMet Columbus.Favourite Roles: Gypsy pas de deux, La Traviata; Odilia & Odette, Swan Lake; ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ & ‘Three Preludes’, I Got Rhythm; Constance, The Three Musketeers; Titania, A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Sugar Plum Fairy, The Nutcracker; Gertrude, Hamlet; Lucy, Dracula; Nikiya, La Bayadére; Ann, A Simple Man; pas de deux, As Time Goes By; Angels in The Architecture. Personal: Enjoys sightseeing around the UK and travelling to foreign countries. Loves socialising with friends and visiting family in America.

NATHALIE LÉGERSenior Artiste

Nathalie joined the Company in 2004.Born: Tours, France.Trained: Académie de Dançe Classique Princesse Grace in Monaco. Previous Companies: Basel Ballet; Deutsche Oper Am Rhein and Ballet de Monte Carlo.Favourite Roles: Carmen; Manon; Tourvel, Dangerous Liaisons; Queen Anne, The Three Musketeers; Gertrude, Hamlet.Career Highlights: Bluebird & Clara, Spoerli; Sisters, Cinderella, Maillot; Who Cares?, Concerto Barocco, Agon, Serenade, The Four Temperaments, Balanchine; Forsythe and Kylián choreographies; Miniatures, Spoerli; Gertrude, Hamlet. Personal: Enjoys swimming and anything to do with water. Likes long walks in parks, mountains or on beaches. Enjoys cooking Mediterranean food. Communication with people is the key to her life. Ran in the Leeds 2008 Race For Life for Cancer Research UK.

GEORGINA MAYFirst Soloist

Georgina joined the Company in 2002. Born: Worcestershire, England.Trained: Royal Ballet School.Favourite Roles: Jardi Tancat; Constance, The Three Musketeers; Lucy, Dracula; Aurora, A Sleeping Beauty Tale; Sugar Plum Fairy, The Nutcracker; Ophelia, Hamlet; Cathy, Wuthering Heights. Career Highlights: Creating and performing the role of Aurora in the World Première of David Nixon’s A Sleeping Beauty Tale and Ophelia in David Nixon’s Hamlet.Personal: Enjoys reading and cooking in spare time.

PIPPA MOOREPremier Dancer

Pippa joined the Company in 1996.Born: Liverpool, England.Trained: Hammond School, Chester; The Royal Ballet School.Previous Companies: Scottish Ballet, Wiener Ballet Theatre and The Royal Ballet.Favourite Roles: Lucy, Dracula; Young Cathy, Wuthering Heights; Helena, A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Juliet, Romeo & Juliet; Wendy, Peter Pan; Madame Butterfly; Clara, The Nutcracker.Personal: Pippa is half Italian and enjoys summer holidays with relations in Pescara.

HIRONAO TAKAHASHIPremier Dancer

Hiro joined the Company in 1992. Born: Hokkaido, Japan.Trained: Hisatomi Ballet Studio; Royal Ballet Upper School; Central School of Ballet, London.Favourite Roles: Dracula, Dracula; Beast, Beauty and the Beast; Oberon, A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Romeo and Mercutio, Romeo & Juliet.Career Highlights: Winner of a professional prize at Prix de Lausanne (1992).Guest Performances: Hisatomi Ballet Studio dancing Tchaikovsky pas de deux and Paquita, and in Tokyo danced La Fille mal gardée pas de deux. Cape Town City Ballet 70th Anniversary Gala including pas de deux from A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo & Juliet. Lausanne Gala in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan 2004.Personal: Loves gadgets and new technology.

KENNETH TINDALLPremier Dancer

Kenneth returned to the Company in 2003. Born: Dundee, Scotland.Trained: Central School of Ballet.Previous Companies: Northern Ballet Theatre(2000-01); Israel Ballet; K Ballet. Favourite Roles: Pinkerton, Madame Butterfly; Armand, La Traviata; Bob Cratchit, A Christmas Carol; Lysander, A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Claudius, Hamlet; Athos, The Three Musketeers; Mercutio, Romeo & Juliet; Elegies, Serenade; Sydney Carton, A Tale of Two Cities; Heathcliff, Wuthering Heights; Anthony, Swan Lake. Guest Performances: XIII International Ballet Festival of Miami; Butterfly pas de deux, Etoiles Grand Classical Gala; Three Preludes, Closing Gala of the Stars.Career Highlights: Closing the 5th International Bejing Dance Festival as Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly; partnering Viviana Durante’s Aurora in Sleeping Beauty; creating the role of Sydney Carton in Cathy Marston’s A Tale of Two Cities and taking part in 2008 XIII International Ballet Festival in Miami.Personal: Loves going on holiday, relaxing with family and friends and enjoys a good movie at the cinema.

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Back (left to right): Yi Song, Ginnie Ray, Michela Paolacci, Martin Bell, John Hull, Victoria SibsonFront (left to right): David Ward, Christie Duncan, Julie Charlet, Ayana Kanda, Ashley Dixon

Soloists & Coryphée

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MARTIN BELLSoloist

Martin joined the Company in 2003.Born: London, England.Trained: Central School of Ballet.Previous Companies: Ballet Central.Favourite Roles: Renfield, Dracula; Goro, Madame Butterfly; ‘I Got Rhythm’, I Got Rhythm; Porthos and King Louis, The Three Musketeers; Fiddler, A Christmas Carol; Korak, A Sleeping Beauty Tale; Oberon, A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Mercutio, Romeo & Juliet; Claudius, Hamlet; Cavalier, The Nutcracker.Career Highlights: Dancing as The Prince in the ‘Fireside’ pas de deux. Being voted one of two best up and coming male dancers by Dance Europe Magazine in 2003. Personal: Enjoys playing and watching football and supports Newcastle United.

JULIE CHARLETCoryphée

Julie joined the Company in 2003. Born: Lille, France.Trained: National Conservatory, Rouen; National Superior School, Marseille.Favourite Roles: Nikiya, La Bayadére; Sugar Plum Fairy, The Nutcracker; Maud, A Simple Man; Gypsy pas de deux, La Traviata.Career Highlights: Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker; Nikiya in La Bayadére.Personal: Enjoys reading, going to nice restaurants and going home to visit her family.

ASHLEY DIXONSoloist

Ashley joined the Company in 2004. Born: Hull, England.Trained: Central School of Ballet.Favourite Roles: Michael and Shadow, Peter Pan; Gaston, La Traviata; Rondar, A Sleeping Beauty Tale; Mercutio, Romeo & Juliet; Puck and Demetrius, A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Nutcracker Prince, The Nutcracker; Edgar and Young Heathcliff, Wuthering Heights. Personal: Supports Hull City football team and enjoys going to the cinema.

CHRISTIE DUNCANCoryphée

Christie joined the Company in 2004. Born: Portsmouth, England.Trained: The Royal Ballet Lower School; Central School of Ballet.Favourite Roles: Cygnets, Swan Lake; Dream, Madame Butterfly; Washerwoman, The Three Musketeers; The Ghost of Christmas Past, A Christmas Carol; Helena, A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Clara, The Nutcracker; First Shade Variation, La Bayadére.Personal: Enjoys arts and craft type activities.

JOHN HULLSoloist

John joined the Company in 2003. Born: Sydney, Australia.Trained: Ecole Ballet Studios; English National Ballet School.Favourite Roles: ‘Girl Crazy’ Solo and ‘I Got Rhythm’, I Got Rhythm; Anthony’s friend, Swan Lake; Athos & D’Artagnan, The Three Musketeers; Cavalier, The Nutcracker; Oberon/Theseus, A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Benvolio, Romeo & Juliet; Solor, La Bayadére; Simon, Swan Lake; Edgar, Wuthering Heights.Personal: Likes to escape on his mountain bike or his motorbike. Enjoys eating out and having a few drinks with friends.

AYANA KANDACoryphée

Ayana joined the Company in 2003. Born: Tokyo, Japan.Trained: Kishibe Mitsuyo Ballet School; Central School of Ballet.Favourite roles: Ghost of Christmas Past, A Christmas Carol; Washerwoman, The Three Musketeers; Suzuki, Madame Butterfly; Friends, Swan Lake; Clara,The Nutcracker; Young Cathy, Wuthering Heights; Angels in the Architecture; first solo La Bayadére. Personal: Enjoys cooking, arts and crafts and spending time with her family in Japan.

MICHELA PAOLACCICoryphée

Michela joined the Company in 2003. Born: Rome, Italy.Trained: Centro Danza La Sylphide, Rome; Royal Ballet Lower School; National Ballet Academy of Rome; Centro Studi Danza Laura Morandini; English National Ballet School.Favourite Roles: Cécile de Volanges, Dangerous Liaisons; ‘Cuban Couple’, I Got Rhythm; Belle Fezziwig, A Christmas Carol; Washerwoman, The Three Musketeers; Helena, A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Juliet, Romeo & Juliet; Odette, Swan Lake.Career Highlights: Performing Juliet in Romeo & Juliet.Personal: Enjoys making jewellery, travelling, seeing new places and spending quality time with family and loved ones.

GINNIE RAYSoloist

Ginnie joined the Company in 1998.Born: Essex, England.Trained: Thomas Rayner School of Classical Ballet; Central School of Ballet.Previous Companies: Ballet Central.Favourite Roles: Kate, Madame Butterfly; Nurse, Romeo & Juliet; Vampire Woman, Christopher Gable’s Dracula; Madame de Volanges, Dangerous Liaisons; Mrs Darling, Peter Pan; Milady de Winter, The Three Musketeers; Lady Capulet, Romeo & Juliet.

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eCareer Highlights: Dancing in Japan.Guest Performances: Japan – Hisatomi Ballet Studio, dancing ‘American in Paris’ pas de deux from I Got Rhythm. Japan – Takahashi Satoko Ballet Studio, dancing ‘Peasant’ pas de deux from Giselle.Personal: Enjoys reading and watching films and making jewellery.

VICTORIA SIBSONSoloist

Victoria joined the Company in 2003.Born: Leicestershire, England.Trained: Northern Ballet Theatre Associates; Central School of Ballet.Previous Companies: Ballet Central.Favourite Roles: Milady de Winter, The Three Musketeers; Mrs Fezziwig, A Christmas Carol; Lady Capulet, Romeo & Juliet; Gertrude, Hamlet; Puck, A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Odilia, David Nixon’s Swan Lake; Angels in the Architecture. Career Highlights: Selected to appear on the Dracula poster; Performing Young Cathy in Wuthering Heights in 2002 whilst still at Central School of Ballet.Personal: Loves travelling to new places and has recently returned from Las Vegas.

YI SONGSoloist

Yi joined the Company in 2005. Born: Qing Dao, China.Trained: Beijing Dance Institute, China.Previous Companies: Singapore Dance Theatre.Favourite Roles: Arthur, Dracula; Aramis, The Three Musketeers; Tybalt, Romeo & Juliet; Lysander, A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Cavalier, The Nutcracker; Anthony, Swan Lake; Jiri Kylián’s Forgotten Land; Nacho Duato’s Jardi Tancat; Stanton Welch’s Maningas; Choo-San Goh‘s Birds of Paradise; Lambarena; Angels in The Architecture. Personal: Enjoys watching movies and swimming. Treasures quality time with family.

DAVID WARDSoloist

David joined the Company in 2005. Born: Lewisham, England.Trained: Dorothy Marshall School of Dance and Drama; English National Ballet School.Favourite Roles: Cinq Mars, The Three Musketeers; Rondar, A Sleeping Beauty Tale; ‘I Got Rhythm’, I Got Rhythm; Prince, The Nutcracker; Demetrius, A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Hamlet, Hamlet; Solar, La Bayadére; Simon, Swan Lake. Personal: Enjoys listening to music and is a massive fan of Michael Jackson. Likes watching new movies, cooking when he has time.

Back (left to right): Thomas Aragones, Antoinette Brooks-Daw, Yoshihisa Arai, Dreda Blow, Jeremy CurnierFront (left to right): Michael Berkin, Lori Gilchrist, Isabella Gaspirini, Giuliano Contadini

Dancers

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THOMAS ARAGONES

Thomas joined the Company in 2007.Born: Toulouse, FranceTrained: Centre des Arts et de la Danse; Terpsi Danse (Nr Toulouse, France). Previous Companies: Performed with English National Ballet and Bordeaux Opera Ballet (both 2007); Contract with David Campos Company, Spain.Favourite Roles: Basil, Don Quixote; Puck; A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Career Highlights: Semi finalist in the 2005 Prix de Lausanne; dancing Swan Lake with ENB in the Royal Albert Hall.Personal: Encouraged to try ballet when he was nine by his father who knew nothing about the ballet world.

YOSHIHISA ARAI

Yoshihisa joined the Company in 2008.Born: Yamaguchi, Japan.Trained: International Ballet Academy; The Royal Ballet School, Upper School.Favourite Roles: Tchaikovsky pas de deux, Sleeping Beauty; The Rite of Spring; Jewels; Edgar, Wuthering Heights; Cats in Romeo & Juliet.Career Highlights: Prix de Lausanne Finalist 2007; The Ballet Competition in Fukuoka 3rd prize; Kobe International Ballet Competition 2nd prize.Personal: Loves going shopping

MICHAEL BERKIN

Michael joined the Company in 2006.Born: Milton Keynes, England.Trained: The Royal Ballet School (Lower and Upper School).Previous Companies: Royal New Zealand Ballet; Birmingham Royal Ballet; Ballet Ireland. Favourite Roles: Tybalt, Romeo & Juliet; The Mouse King, The Nutcracker.Career Highlights: Performing The Nutcracker ‘Prince’ pas de deux in a Tchaikovsky Gala at the Dublin National Concert Hall with his Dad watching; touring all around New Zealand and Ireland.Personal: Loves touring, especially to his hometown of Milton Keynes because he gets to perform for his mother. Loves the outdoors especially escaping to the beach with his wife Kimberley. Also enjoys playing the guitar and song writing. To listen to recordings of Michael’s songs visit www.myspace.com/michaelberkin

DREDA BLOW

Dreda joined the Company in 2007.Born: Toronto, Canada.Trained: National Ballet School of Canada; Royal Conservatory, The Hague.Previous Companies: Het Nationale Ballet, Amsterdam.Favourite Roles: Mother, Swan Lake; Girls in Red, A Simple Man; Angels in the Architecture. Career Highlights: Touring the UK for the first time and meeting so many fantastic dancers and choreographers. Personal: Loves classic films and musicals, enjoys reading and writing her own fiction, walks in Canadian woods and travelling to new places.

ANTOINETTE BROOKS-DAW

Antoinette joined the Company in 2008.Born: Taunton, England.Trained: Trained with her mum at The Trull School of Dancing in Taunton; Junior Associate of the Royal Ballet School before joining the Royal Ballet Lower School; The Royal Ballet Upper School.Favourite Roles: Solo girl in Natalie Weirs The Unwritten; David Bintley’s Gallantries.Career Highlights: Performing on the Royal Opera House stage in the annual school matinée; coming 2nd in the Young British Dancer of the Year at 15; winning the Phyllis Bedells Bursary, 2004.Personal: Antoinette absolutely loves music and has had a passion for it ever since she was little, both listening and playing. Has been lucky enough to be able to play the piano, violin and harp.

GIULIANO CONTADINI

Giuliano joined the Company in 2007.Born: Rimini, Italy.Trained: Rimini, Rome and London.Previous Companies: Ballet Ireland and English National Ballet.Favourite Roles: The Prince, Sleeping Beauty; Swan Lake.Career Highlights: Dancing the principal couple in Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante.Personal: Loves London’s nightlife and enjoys clubbing and going to the cinema with friends. Adores Italian food.

JEREMY CURNIER

Jeremy joined the Company in 2009.Born: Guildford, Surrey.Trained: Patricia School of Dance; The Royal Ballet School, Lower & Upper School. Favourite Roles: Basilio, Don Quixote. Career Highlights: Dancing Puck from Ashton’s The Dream on the Royal Opera House stage. Personal: Likes watching sport especially tennis and rugby.

ISABELLA GASPARINI

Isabella joined the Company in 2007.Born: Sao Paulo, Brazil. Trained: Canada’s National Ballet School; Ballet Marcia Lags; BTK, Brazil. Favourite Roles: The Sylph, La Sylphide and Clara, The Nutcracker.Personal: Enjoys reading, travelling and spending time with her family in Brazil. Loves the beach and Brazil’s tropical weather.

LORI GILCHRIST

Lori joined the Company in 2004.Born: West Yorkshire, England.Trained: Northern Ballet School.Favourite Roles: La Traviata; ‘Girl Crazy’, I Got Rhythm; Washerwoman, The Three Musketeers; Hermia, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Personal: Lori started dancing at the age of 4. She enjoys going to the gym, cinema and also enjoys travelling.

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Back (left to right): Rachael Gillespie, Daniel Clarke, Ayami Miyata, William Simmons, Jessica MorganFront (left to right): Graham Kotowich, Rym Kechacha, Sebastian Loe, Anna Blackwell, Ben Mitchell

Dancers

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RACHAEL GILLESPIE

Rachael joined the Company in 2008.Born: Swindon, England.Trained: Judith Hockaday School; Central School of Ballet. Previous Companies: Scottish Ballet Apprentice (Cinderella tour); Ballet Central. Favourite Roles: Nymphet, A Simple Man; cygnets in David Nixon’s Swan Lake. Career Highlights: Joining NBT, touring with Scottish Ballet - gaining experience before leaving school. Personal: Enjoys sightseeing, reading, spending time with friends and family, listening to a wide variety of music and making dance wear.

RYM KECHACHA

Rym joined the Company in 2008.Born: London, England.Trained: Central School of Ballet.Favourite Roles: ‘Fireside’ pas de deux from Christopher Gable’s Cinderella. Career Highlights: Joining NBT; performing at the Linbury Theatre.Personal: She has a passion for reading of all kinds as well as creative writing. Also enjoys world cinema.

GRAHAM KOTOWICH

Graham joined the Company in 2008.Born: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.Trained: Conservatory for the Performing Arts, The University of Regina; The Royal Ballet School; The National Ballet School of Canada.Favourite Roles: Garden gent, Wuthering Heights; Jive, A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Matchstick Men, A Simple Man. Career Highlights: Receiving a full scholarship to the Royal Ballet School; performing at Buckingham Palace; travelling with the National Ballet of Canada and working with Northern Ballet Theatre. Personal: Graham enjoys spending time outdoors using new technology and listening to music. He is also passionate about meeting new people, good food and family.

SEBASTIAN LOE

Sebastian joined the Company in 2004.Born: London, England.Trained: The Royal Ballet School.Favourite Roles: Fritz, The Nutcracker; ‘Girl Crazy’, I Got Rhythm; Michael, Peter Pan; Pierre, La Traviata; Renfield, Dracula; Chinese doll, The Nutcracker. Career Highlights: Getting a place at the Royal Ballet Upper School.Personal: Enjoys listening to music, dancing, socialising, travelling and being spontaneous in certain circumstances.

BEN MITCHELL

Ben joined the Company in 2008.Born: Emden, Germany. Trained: Royal Ballet School; Elmhurst School for Dance. Favourite Roles: Puck, A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Young Heathcliff, Wuthering Heights; Angels in the Architecture.Career Highlights: Touring with Birmingham Royal Ballet in Firebird and Romeo and Juliet; joining Northern Ballet Theatre. Personal: Has a huge passion for choreography. Loves outdoor activities such as camping and B-Boarding. Also has a huge passion for music and likes watching films, spending time with friends and family and exploring new countries.

AYAMI MIYATA

Ayami joined the Company in 2009.Born: Shiga, Japan.Trained: Jun Ballet Gakuen, Japan; Académie de Dançe Classique Princesse Grace in Monaco. Favourite Roles: Raymonda; Swan Lake; Romeo and Juliet; Sleeping Beauty. Career Highlights: Académie de Dançe Classique Princesse Grace in Monaco.Personal: She likes to read books, listen to music, go shopping and stroll through the streets.

JESSICA MORGAN

Jessica joined the Company in 2008.Born: Newcastle, Australia.Trained: Marie Walton; Mahon Dance Academy; Elmhurst School for Dance. Career Highlights: Awarded Bronze at Genée International Ballet Competition, Hong Kong in 2006; being Principal female in Michael Corder’s newly created ballet Varii Caprici. Personal: Loves being in the sun, swimming at the beach and spending time with her family.

ANNA BLACKWELL Apprentice

Born: Cheshire, England.Trained: Northern Ballet Theatre Associates; Central School of Ballet.Favourite Roles: Ascent created by Mikaela Polley for Ballet Central; swans in David Nixon’s Swan Lake. Career Highlights: Performing Swan Lake and La Bayadére with the Company whilst in third year at Central; dancing in the semi-finals at Prix de Lausanne in 2009. Personal: Enjoys eating out, especially Japanese and Thai restaurants. Also enjoys reading, cooking and spending time with friends.

DANIEL CLARKEApprentice

Born: Birmingham, England.Trained: Elmhurst School for Dance.Favourite Roles: Bethena Waltz pas de deux,Elite Syncopations.Career Highlights: Joining NBT.Personal: Swimming, car mechanics, travelling.

WILLIAM SIMMONS Apprentice

Born: Edgware, England.Trained: Royal Ballet Lower School; Hammond School of Dance; English National Ballet School. Career Highlights: Working in 3rd year at ENB School, with the Company on their UK Tour of Manon and Sleeping Beauty. Working with Michael Corder on a pas de deux in his L’arlesienne. Obtaining a place at Northern Ballet Theatre as an Apprentice.Personal: Likes to exercise and go to the gym, also likes to listen to new music and watch new movies at the cinema. Enjoys spending time with family at home in Luton.

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Corporate Partners

TRUSTS, FOUNDATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS • The John Jarrold Trust• All contributors to the Development Fund• All members of Friends of Northern Ballet Theatre

Thank you to all our corporate partners for their vision and belief in NBT.To find out more about partnership opportunities please contact Janet Myers on 0113 274 5355, janet.myers@northernballettheatre.co.uk

NATIONAL TOUR PARTNER

SEASON SPONSOR: GLASGOW 2010

SEASON SPONSOR: HULL SEASON SPONSOR: PETER PAN, LEEDS

YORKSHIRE SCHOOLS PROGRAMME SPONSOR

GOLD LEVEL

SILVER LEVEL BRONZE LEVEL

NBT 40TH ANNIVERSARY GALA SUPPORTERS

SPONSORSHIP-IN-KIND

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DraculaThu 10 – Sat 19 SeptemberLeeds, West Yorkshire PlayhouseBox Office: 0113 213 7700

Wuthering HeightsTue 29 September – Sat 3 OctoberNorwich, Theatre RoyalBox Office: 01603 630 000

Tue 6 – Sat 10 OctoberWoking, New Victoria TheatreBox Office: 08448 717 601

Tue 20 – Sat 24 OctoberBradford, Alhambra TheatreBox Office: 01274 432 000

Northern Ballet Theatre

A Christmas CarolTue 13 – Sat 17 OctoberMilton Keynes TheatreBox Office: 0870 060 6652

Tue 10 – Sat 14 NovemberSheffield, Lyceum TheatreBox Office: 0114 249 6000

Tue 17 – Sat 21 NovemberNottingham, Theatre RoyalBox Office: 0115 989 5555

Tue 1 – Thu 10 DecemberLeeds, Grand TheatreBox Office: 0844 848 2701

Peter PanThu 17 – Sun 27 DecemberLeeds, Grand TheatreBox Office: 0844 848 2701

40th Anniversary GalaAn Enchanted Evening

Sat 12 DecemberLeeds, Grand TheatreBox Office: 0844 848 2701

Northern Ballet TheatreWest Park Centre, Spen Lane, Leeds, LS16 5BETel: 0113 274 5355, Fax: 0113 274 5381info@northernballettheatre.co.uk www.northernballettheatre.co.uk

Northern Ballet Theatre Registered Charity No: 259140Company Registration No: 947096. VAT No: 146 6307 66

Booking fees may apply.Check with venue for on sale datesfor spring/summer tour.

Autumn/Winter Tour 2009

Spring/Summer Tour 2010

This tour schedule is correct at the time of printing. Northern Ballet Theatre reserves the right to make alterations where necessary without prior notice.

Front Cover Photo: HANSONDesign. FEAST & Design IT Print: Axis

Mixed ProgrammeTue 23 – Thu 25 FebruaryLeeds, Grand TheatreBox Office: 0844 848 2701

Romeo & JulietSat 27 February – Sat 6 MarchLeeds, Grand TheatreBox Office: 0844 848 2701

Wed 19 – Sat 22 MayHull, New TheatreBox Office: 01482 226 655

Tue 8 – Sat 12 JuneCardiff, New TheatreBox Office: 029 2087 8889

Wuthering HeightsThu 11– Sat 13 MarchEdinburgh, Festival TheatreBox Office: 0131 529 6000

Tue 16 – Sat 20 MarchSheffield, Lyceum TheatreBox Office: 0114 249 6000

Peter PanTue 23 – Sat 27 MarchWoking, New Victoria TheatreBox Office: 08448 717 601

Tue 13 – Sat 17 AprilNottingham, Theatre RoyalBox Office: 0115 989 5555

Tue 20 – Sat 24 AprilMilton Keynes TheatreBox Office: 0870 060 6652

Tue 27 April – Sat 1 MayNorwich, Theatre RoyalBox Office: 01603 630 000

Wed 12 – Sun 16 MayLondon, Sadler’s WellsBox Office: 0844 412 4300

Dangerous LiaisonsThu 6 – Sat 8 MayLlandudno, Venue CymruBox Office: 01492 872 000

Wed 2 – Sat 5 JuneGlasgow, Theatre RoyalBox Office: 0844 871 7647