insidethe magazine from Northern Ballet Theatre

FAREWELLto the fabulousMr Wheeler

CELEBRATING 40David Nixondances throughthe years

NBT EXPORTTaking part in the Paralympics

Issue 5 Spring 2009

issue 5

Hello and welcome to the first of our 40th Anniversary editions of inside.

In this edition you can read more about our recent achievements including

the news that we received the Patron’s Award at the National Dance Awards.

This Award was given to us by Dame Beryl Grey in recognition of the work

the Company has done to raise the profile of dance in the UK. It is a great

accolade and I was delighted to be able to attend the award ceremony which

is such a wonderful event celebrating the very best of dance.

We also pay tribute to Steven Wheeler who leaves the Company after 17

years. In the article some of the dancers share their personal memories of

Steven, I’m sure you will have your own. I would personally like to give my

thanks to Steven for the contribution he has made to the Company and for

his many memorable performances.

Our 40th Anniversary is an excellent opportunity for us to reflect on NBT’s

achievements, our history and to remember again all the people who have

contributed to the Company’s 40 years. I hope the artistic programme will

show just where the Company has come in this time and the diversity and

strength on all levels that it has.

The 40th Anniversary season opens with our first mixed programme since

2004 and what excites me the most is the opportunity to combine

Swan Lake with the Mixed Programme and to see if that can build a greater

audience for NBT. If it works it will be a significant achievement from this

year’s programming.

I hope the 40th Anniversary season, by giving such a strong representation

of the Company now, is seen as a fitting tribute to all the people who have

been part of its growth and achievements. In particular the contributions

each artistic director made to the Company: Laverne Meyer who had the

vision and determination to establish England’s first regional ballet

company; Robert de Warren who changed the Company from Northern

Dance Theatre to Northern Ballet Theatre and set us on a more classical

path; Christopher Gable under whom the Company gained such great

popularity and became renowned for the mixture of dance and theatre; and

Stefano Gianetti who took on the Company at a very difficult time after the

untimely death of Christopher Gable.

I hope I have personally built upon all my predecessors work and taken NBT

forward with a new impetus, creating a ballet company ready to meet the

challenges of dance in the 21st century. I’ll see the new building project

come to fruition and that building may be one of the greatest permanent

tributes to all the people who have been a part of NBT’s rich heritage.

Many of you reading this would have made your contribution to NBT by

coming to see us perform and by becoming Friends and Patrons. Without

our audiences we wouldn’t be here, so it is also to you that I dedicate the

40th Anniversary programme. Thank you for your support, here’s to the

next 40 years.

Best wishes,

David Nixon

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3 NBT newsAwards, partnerships and people.

5 The reviews are inA look at theautumn/winter 2008 season.

6 Steven WheelerWe bid a fond farewell to a real character.

10 Pull-out posterYour pull out and pin-up scheduleof tour dates and Friends events.

12 40th Anniversary programmeDavid Nixon talks us through the first half of NBT’s 40thAnniversary programme.

14 Claude-MichelSchönbergThe celebrated composer tells us hewasn’t interested in ballet before NBT.

15 Partnership newsA celebration of our partnershipwith Leeds Metropolitan University.

16Building momentumNews of our new building project.

17NBT at the Paralympic GamesNBT’s Learning & Access team share their China diaries.

18Dancing ambitionsTwo Classical Training students share their thoughts on training with NBT.

Cover image Yi SongPhoto: Bill Cooper

Students start dance with NBTMore then 600 students from 14

inner city schools in NBT’s local

community have been working

with NBT’s Learning & Access

department as part of Start, an

initiative funded by the Prince’s

Foundation for Children & the Arts.

Many students had their first ballet

experience at a performance of

The Nutcracker at Leeds Grand

Theatre. They attended a

performance of the Mixed

Programme in February and are

taking part in dance workshops.

Welcome on-boardWe are delighted to welcome the following people to NBT: Sharon Watson,

Acting Director of Learning & Access (maternity cover); John Thornton

returns to NBT as Principal Horn; Carley Marsh, Wardrobe Assistant and Phill

Garnett, Web & Graphics Officer. Dianne Gray has joined NBT from

Birmingham Royal Ballet; Maria Ledesma and Natalie Diaper from English

National Ballet School and Anna Blackwell from Central School of Ballet are

joining the Company for performances of Swan Lake and La Bayadere.

Congratulations to the following people on their promotions: Olivia Dermot

Walsh to Stage Manager, Mikhaila Pye to Touring Wardrobe Manager,

Heather Burtt to Senior Wardrobe Assistant, Steve Wilkins to Technical

Manager and Melanie Aram to Capital Campaign Manager. Laura O’Connor

has left her role as Touring Wardrobe Manager but will be assisting the

supervision of the 2009 productions.

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inside: thenews

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Dance legend honours Northern BalletTheatre with dance awardWe were delighted to receive the coveted Patron’s Award at the 2008

Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards. NBT was chosen by legendary

ballerina Dame Beryl Grey, Patron of the National Dance Awards.

Previous winners of the Patron’s Award are Darcey Bussell (2007) and the

BBC1 series Strictly Come Dancing (2006).

The Patron’s Award is given to an individual or organisation that has

significantly furthered the cause of dance in the UK. Dame Beryl Grey

said:“I decided to give the 2008 Patron’s Award to NBT in recognition of

the contribution the Company has made to raise the profile of dance in

the UK. From its beginnings as England’s only regionally-based dance

company it has attained its place as one of the country’s leading forces

for dance, touring widely and performing for audiences who might

otherwise not have an opportunity to experience diverse programmes

of ballet of the highest quality.”

David Nixon said,“It is an honour to have been chosen by Dame Beryl

Grey as the recipient of this year’s Patron’s Award. I am so pleased that

the tireless work of NBT has been recognised through the Award.

There could be no better way to begin our 40th Anniversary year.”

NBT has been nominated in a number of categories at the National

Dance Awards in the past and received the Audience Award for three

consecutive years (2004, 2005 and 2006). The Audience Award was the

only award voted for by the public.

MP visits NBTIn January Greg Mulholland, MP for Leeds North West, visited NBT’s West

Park headquarters which are located within his constituency. Greg watched

three Classical Training students having class with Yoko Ichino and

Company rehearsals of Swan Lake. Greg had the opportunity to talk to our

professional dancers, the behind-the-scenes team and local students

training with NBT.

David Nixon receives the Patron’s

Award from Dame Beryl Grey

Our family keeps growingCongratulations to our Deputy Stage Manager Chun-Yen Chia and his wife,

ex-Leading Female Dancer, Chiaki Nagao, on the arrival of Chen-Haun in

September. Congratulations also to Selina McGonagle, Director of Learning

& Access who gave birth to a baby girl, Orla Grace, in November and to

Annemarie Donoghue in our Classical Training department who gave birth

to Madeline in March. We’re delighted to tell you that Junior Soloist Ginnie

Ray is expecting a baby with her husband, NBT’s ex-Chief Stage Technician

Lee Rook. Laura Pennington, violinist with the Orchestra is planning her

wedding to Mark Concar in May.

Farewell to… Amy Johnson, Junior Soloist; Paul Young, Sound Electrician;

Hedley Benson, Principal Trumpet and Mick Schofield, Web & Graphics

Officer. We wish them all the very best for the future.

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inside: thenews

Rudolph Nureyevand Yoko IchinoIn our last issue of insidewe

published this photo with the

wrong credit (page 8). It is in fact of

NBT’s Ballet Mistress Yoko Ichino

with Rudolph Nureyev in Don

Quixote with American Ballet

Theatre at the Metropolitan Opera

House, New York.

Easter with NBT…NBT’s annual Easter Course will be

based on past productions to

celebrate our 40th Anniversary. The

course is for young people aged

11-19 and will run from 6 to 9 April.

Members of the NBT Orchestra will

work with Caroline Burn on the

dance and music course.

…and at theRoyal Ballet SchoolFour Professional Division students

from NBT have been given the

fantastic opportunity to attend an

Easter Course at White Lodge, the

Royal Ballet Lower School. They will

take part in a week of intensive

training with students from

Centres for Advanced Training

(CATs) from across the country.

End of year show NBT’s Professional Division

students are preparing their

celebratory end of year

performance at the Riley Theatre in

Leeds on 27th June. Tickets can be

purchased from the Theatre by

calling 0113 219 3018.

NBT was very sad to hear of the death of Angela Morley,

the celebrated Leeds-born artist who was one of the

leading composers and arrangers of film and light music

in the world. Angela has worked on a number of scores for

films such as: Star Wars, Superman, ET and Schindler’s List.

Geoffrey Allan, NBT’s Orchestra Leader, was honoured to

be the dedicatee of Rêverie, a new piece for violin and

orchestra written by Angela.

NBT Orchestra Leaderhonoured withRêverie dedication

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40th Anniversarycommemorative bookNBT has produced a new book to commemorate its 40th

Anniversary. The book includes an overview of the work of the

Company under each Artistic Director, a look at key

productions, images and reflections on the Company’s work.

The book is priced £10 plus p&p and will be available at our

touring venues and on-line at www.northernballettheatre.co.uk

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inside: reviewing NBT’s Autumn/Winter tour 2008

City lights

A Tale of Two Cities premièred on 30

August 2008 at the West Yorkshire

Playhouse, Leeds, and was seen by

11,523 people at 23 performances

across three venues.

“By perfecting their craft and proving

they’re among the cream of the ballet

world they make such a huge

production so worthwhile and, more

importantly, hugely entertaining.”

Yorkshire Evening Post/City Life,

September 2008

“The women of the mob move as one.

They pound out a terrifying chorus.”

The Observer, September 2008

“Both individually and as an

ensemble, they radiate conviction.”

The Guardian, September 2008

Glory daze

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

premièred in 2003, and during the

2008 autumn/winter season it was

seen by 9,446 people at 14

performances across two venues.

“…outstanding production from a

national treasure.”

Your Canterbury, November 2008

This page: KennethTindall as SydneyCarton and KeikoAmemori as Lucie in A Tale of Two Cities.

Photo: Alastair Muir

Last season saw the World Première of Cathy Marston’s

A Tale of Two Cities. A Midsummer Night’s Dream

remained in the repertoire and The Nutcracker became

NBT’s most successful NBT production.

swept away

A perfect 10

The Nutcracker premièred in 2007,

and during the 2008 autumn/winter

season it was seen by 49,746

people at 45 performances across

five venues.

“As they say in Strictly Come Dancing,

this is a 10.”

Yorkshire Post, December 2008

“… work of sublime genius that

will warm your heart. David Nixon’s

choreography is perfection,

the sets breathtaking and the

costumes a marvel.”

Yorkshire Evening Post, December 2008

6

inside: the big interview

Steven Wheeler has been dancing with NBT since

1992. Originally from Southend-on-Sea, he trained at

the Royal Ballet Upper School, where his first pas de

deux training partner was Darcey Bussell.

In his 17 years with the Company he has created

many highly memorable roles and has always cut

a familiar figure on stage. NBT audiences have

particularly enjoyed his portrayal of the Wardrobe

Master in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a role that

he refers to as his alter ego.

In March this year Steven will finally hang up his NBT

ballet shoes and head for pastures new. He gives his

final performance with the Company in Sheffield.

inside meets Steven to reflect on his long and

successful career.

Why did you join Northern Ballet Theatre?I joined because of Christopher Gable.One of my fellow students at the RoyalBallet School joined NBT and told meall about the Company. Despitetraining at the Royal Ballet School I thought NBT sounded like the mostinteresting company around. I didn’tget into NBT on my first audition so I joined The Lewis London BalletCompany and at the end of my fourthyear there I was finally accepted atNBT. I joined around the same time asHiro (Hironao Takahashi), OmarGordon, Konrad Simpson, CharlotteBroom and Chiaki (Nagao).

What have been the highlights of your time at NBT?Performing and working withChristopher Gable was fantastic.I remember I got my big break atNBT through someone else’smisfortune. I was in the fourth castfor Romeo & Juliet and during myfirst foreign tour to Greece, PeteParker got food poisoning so due tocast changes I got the opportunityto perform Lord Capulet for the firsttime. In Christopher’s Swan Lake Iwas sixth cast and again Pete Parkergot injured so, because I had donethe publicity photos, I was asked tostep up into his role.

Farewell Stev“I have seenmany dancerscome and gobut very few asmemorable oras irreplaceableas the fabulousMr Wheeler!”

Pippa Moore,

Leading Soloist on

Steven Wheeler

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Which has been your favourite role?When you have performed so manyit’s hard to remember. I like them allfor different reasons. The roles thatstand out for me include when Iplayed first cast Don in Don Quixote,it had a huge pas de deux. I likedplaying Mr Utterson (Dr Jekyll’ssolicitor) opposite Jeremy’s(Kerridge) Poole (Dr Jekyll’s butler) inJekyll and Hyde. I loved playing Mitchin Streetcar and performing Sharplessin Madame Butterfly as it was a roleDavid (Nixon) recreated on me. I wasreally pleased to play Hamlet’s father,I believe Hamlet is one of the bestballets David has ever created.

As you’ve matured as a dancer, hasit become more difficult to meet the physical demands of the job?Keeping fit never used to be aproblem, I’d get occasional niggleswhich I would just ignore and workthrough. I’ve been dancing for morethan 20 years so of course it does getharder but I have a strong work ethic.That’s what we’re paid for, we’re paidto perform. I’ve carried on withrehearsals and performances despitebeing ill, I believe that if you thinkyou can do the performance thenyou should do it because it will meanthat someone else won’t have to dothe extra work to cover you.

NBT is a touring company and thedancers lead a nomadic lifestyle.How have you found being on theroad for the last 17 years?Do you know, saying goodbye to allthe people at the digs I have stayedwith each year has been one of thehardest things about leaving NBT.One lady I stay with, Joan, inNorwich, I’ve been staying with for17 years. Recently she came to seeme in A Midsummer Night’s Dreamwhen I played Bottom, but she reallywanted to see me perform the roleof the Wardrobe Master, so shebought another ticket especially tosee that. I didn’t know she was thereand I was very touched.

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inside: the big interview

Top left: Steven as the Wardrobe Masterin A MidsummerNight’s Dream.Photo: Merlin Hendy

Bottom left: Steven as Menchak in A Sleeping Beauty Tale.Photo: Merlin Hendy

Top right: Steven as Lord Capulet withChiaki Nagao as Julietin Romeo & Juliet.Photo: Brian Slater

You will have seen a lot of changesat NBT in your time. What havebeen the most significant?I’ve worked with three differentdirectors in my time at NBT. Eachdirector has kept the idea of storyballets, instigated by ChristopherGable, but have also brought theirown ideas to the Company. That’sbeen good for NBT as a whole; it’skept the ethos of the Company going. Of course now there seems tobe lots of changes with peopleleaving, having babies, gettingmarried – I guess that’s what familylife is all about.

You did some ballroom dancingwhen you were younger, are you aStrictly Come Dancing fan?I do enjoy watching it actually. I’d loveto have had the chance to do morewith ballroom dancing at NBT. Therewas a wonderful time when I waspartnering Natalie Leftwich in SwanLake when we incorporated mytraining in the Waltz, I don’t thinkDavid (Nixon) expected that.

What will you not miss?The awful dressing rooms at someof our touring venues and theshowers at West Park. In fact Iwon’t miss West Park at all, onceyou’re working in the studios it’sok but otherwise it’s pretty bad. Iam envious that I won’t see thecompletion of NBT’s new buildingand get to enjoy those fantasticnew facilities.

What will you miss?I’ll miss the camaraderie of thedancers. Whenever anyone joinsthe Company they always say hownice everyone is, we’d do anythingfor each other. If someone has aproblem, it may or may not bework related; there is alwayssomeone to ask for help. We areone huge family and I think thatshows on stage. The youngerdancers do listen to the olderdancers because they know thatthey are not trying to make themlook stupid, they do genuinelywant to help.

What are your plans for the future?I don’t have any particular plans,I haven’t wanted to think about itbecause I believe I can only give 100%of myself in my work if I’m thinkingabout the present. I wouldn’t havebeen able to do the roles in Hamlet orA Tale of Two Cities as well as I did if mymind had been thinking about what I was going to do when my time atNBT ended. I am going to take a cruisedown the Nile, it’s the only time I’ve had other than peak summer time to take a holiday – and I’m goingto enjoy it.

You are a popular member of NBT and the Friends of NBT willmiss you. Do you have a messagefor them?(Tongue firmly in cheek) Don’t stopsupporting NBT just because I’m nothere. There are many other fabulousdancers to support. But seriously,thank you for all your support overthe past 17 years, it’s been amazing.I hope people will remember that I can dance, act and partner.

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from the top:Steven takes centrestage amongst NBT’sLeading Artists.Photo: HANSON

Steven as Hamlet’sfather in Hamlet.Photo: Dee Conway

Steven as the Marquis in A Tale of Two Cities.Photo: Alastair Muir

Steven as Mitch withCharlotte Talbot asBlanche in A StreetcarNamed Desire.Photo: HANSON

NBT’s dancers share their memories and thoughts of Steven:

Pippa Moore, Leading Soloist“In my first rehearsal with NBT I was to dance the role of ‘gypsy’ inDon Quixote. In a room of strangers and with little moreinstruction than to ‘shimmy’ seductively around my partner, I wasfeeling more mortified than tantalizing as I nervously approachedthe 6’ 2 statuesque blonde! This was my first encounter withSteven and if I had known then he would become my mostreliable, unflappable ‘rock’ throughout the next 13 years workingtogether, I would have had little reason to be anxious at all.

Performing with Steven has been an honour; his professionalismand commitment are an inspiration. There is no role large or smallwhere his charisma and unique stage presence has not shonethrough. Steven’s precision, timing and awareness of the scenes in their entirety can immediately put me at ease – havingsomeone on stage so supportive both literally andmetaphorically, has been priceless. I have seen many dancerscome and go but very few as memorable or as irreplaceable asthe fabulous Mr Wheeler!”

Ginnie Ray, Junior Soloist“Steven Wheeler is an amazing person to work with. He is veryprofessional and will always give 100% in each performance(even if it is show 110!). He is also a very caring partner in pas dedeux and will always make the girl look good even if he isuncomfortable. Every girl’s dream. Steven is one of my favouritepeople to work with.”

Hironao Takahashi, Principal Artist“I think I was lucky to have joined the Company at the same timeas Steven so I could spend a lot of time with him. He has been sohelpful; when I joined the Company 17 years ago he helped me so I didn’t feel lost. We have had a great time workingtogether and I will miss him so much but I wish him all the bestfor the future.”

Keiko Amemori, Principal Artist“Steven came to Japan with Hiro and I for our wedding, he wasour best man. He helped me chose my head-dress and Hiro’ssuits. Steven has always been reliable at work. If he was playingmy father, such as Lord Capulet in Romeo & Juliet, his acting andtiming were perfect so I could therefore perform my roleperfectly. He is so considerate and professional on stage, makingsure that I looked good out there.”

Ashley Dixon, Coryphée“I first met Steven the year before I joined the Company at theNBT Summer School. I was a student and Steven was taking classto recover from an injury. From the first day he helped me andcorrected nearly everything I did. The next year when I joined theCompany he remembered me and it turned out I stood next tohim at the barre. He has continued to help me over the past fiveyears and become a friend who would do anything for you. Hehas a personality that is irreplaceable both on and off stage.”

Your pull-out-and-keep guide to NBT’s Spring/Summer 2009 tour

Mixed Programme:A Simple Man,Angels in the Architecture,La Bayadère (Kingdom ofthe Shades)

Sat 21 March Edinburgh, Festival TheatreBox Office: 0131 529 6000

Fri 27 – Sat 28 MarchSheffield, Lyceum TheatreBox Office: 0114 249 6000

Mixed Programme:A Simple Man,Angels in the Architecture,As Time Goes By

Tues 19 – Weds 20 MayLondon, Sadler’s WellsBox Office: 0844 412 4300

Tues 16 – Sat 20 JuneCardiff, New TheatreBox Office: 029 2087 8889

Tues 17 – Thurs 19 MarchEdinburgh, Festival TheatreBox Office: 0131 529 6000

Tues 24 – Thurs 26 MarchSheffield, Lyceum TheatreBox Office: 0114 249 6000

fabulous four

inside: friends events

Friends eventSat 28 MarchDay at the TheatreSheffield, Lyceum Theatre

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Weds 29 April – Sat 2 MayHull, New TheatreBox Office: 01482 226 655

Tues 5 – Sat 9 MayMilton Keynes TheatreBox Office: 0870 060 6652

Please note, booking fees may apply

Tues 2 – Sat 6 JuneBelfast, Grand OperaHouseBox Office: 02890 24 19 19

Thurs 11 – Sat 13 JuneLlandudno, Venue CymruBox Office: 01492 872 000

Weds 27 – Sat 30 MayManchester, Opera HouseBox Office: 0161 242 2524

Tues 23 – Sat 27 JuneNorwich, Theatre RoyalBox Office: 01603 63 00 00

Tues 12 – Sat 16 MayBath, Theatre RoyalBox Office: 01225 448 844

Thurs 21 – Sat 23 MayLondon, Sadler’s WellsBox Office: 0844 412 4300

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NBT’s 40th A

NBT’s 40th Anniversary is an excellent

opportunity to reflect on it’s history and

achievements, as well as to celebrate

where the Company is now. Creating an

artistic programme that would do the

Anniversary justice was a hard task.

inside speaks to NBT’s Artistic Director,

David Nixon, to ask him how he decided

on the programme.

inside:NBT’s 40th Anniversary

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Sitting at NBT’s West Park headquarters there is only amonth until the new season opens. In the studios thedancers are working at a feverish pace rehearsing withMark Godden, choreographer of Angels in the Architecture,whilst trying to remember everything that they rehearsedwith Gillian Lynne for A Simple Man the week before.Alongside this, David Nixon is reviving Swan Lake withchanged choreography and Yoko Ichino is recreating La Bayadère. Such is the eclectic mix of work programmedfor NBT’s 40th Anniversary season. This is a huge challenge for the dancers but one that David feels willshowcase their incredible talents while attractingaudiences throughout the UK.

“The 40th Anniversary season has a combination ofsignature works, new work and a number of opportunitiesto celebrate. The Mixed Programme really reflects past,present and future aspirations. I started out with therevival of A Simple Man because it is such an importantpiece for the Company and it was the catalyst to a hugechange; because of Christopher Gable’s involvement in thepiece he went on to become artistic director. The ShadesScene of La Bayadère shows just how far NBT has come asa classical company over the last few years and Angels inthe Architecture shows how far we have come as acontemporary company.”

It would be fair to say that a lot of the repertoire for the40th Anniversary season is from more recent history. It maybe a disappointment for some followers of the Companythat more productions from long ago have not beenbrought back. David explains: “A lot of the other repertoirefrom before Christopher is basically lost to us in terms ofrights and although some people would love to see oldwork it often is very expensive to get back. We don’tcurrently do a lot of mixed rep programming so the interestwould be with the few rather than many.”

The point David makes is a good one. In the early days ofNorthern Dance Theatre, as it was then known, theCompany performed short, small-scale, more contemporaryproductions. How many of our audiences who know andfollow the Company now, would pay to see a mixedprogramme of historical works they might never haveheard of? The risk would be too great for the Company tobear at this current time.

The programme celebrates the breadth of work NBT isknown for now whilst acknowledging and appreciating thebest productions from our past. Two of these, A ChristmasCarol and Romeo & Juliet, were created under the leadershipof Christopher Gable, NBT’s Artistic Director from 1987-1998and continue to be extraordinarily popular with audiences.

Anniversary

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The revival of A Simple Man is dedicated to the memory ofChristopher Gable and David Nixon feels that the markChristopher left on the Company will never be forgotten and cannot be underestimated.“It was under his leadershipthat I think the Company took its largest leap forward in its history.”

Christopher really introduced the idea of combining classicaldance with theatre, he saw the Company through sometumultuous times including two changes of location and amove by the Arts Council to withdraw funding. 2008 markedthe 10th anniversary of Christopher’s death and, in the sameyear, NBT’s founding Director, Laverne Meyer, sadly passedaway, adding great poignancy to the 40th Anniversary.

As much as looking back however the 40th Anniversary isabout celebrating where the Company is now.

David Nixon talks us through the other productions in the40th Anniversary programme.“We decided to revive Swan Lake because we hadn’t done it for a while and it is as much male-driven as it is female-driven. The Company has some very strong male dancers, so it seemed appropriate to do it. NBT has a reputation for performingdifferent adaptations of the classics and Swan Lake is a greatexample of that.”

“I chose to bring back Wuthering Heights because it was thefirst piece I choreographed for the Company and it has notbeen performed since. I think it symbolises what I was tryingto do when I first came to NBT, which was to continueChristopher’s narrative mission, and yet it has a differentelement to it. The re-emphasis on classical technique at NBTstarted with this work and I have been waiting to haveenough Heathcliffs and Cathys to do it again!”

“We wanted the Christmas season, which is the culminationof the 40th Anniversary, to be the most celebratory and so Ichose to bring back A Christmas Carol because it is asignature work in the Company’s history. Peter Pan was ahuge success and we have a lot of dancers who suit thatpiece. I felt A Christmas Carol was the most appropriateproduction to use as an alumni celebration because thereare lots of individual parts for people to perform and it issuch a feel-good story. The 40th Anniversary Gala will be aspecial treat for our audience and also for the dancers toshare the stage with some fantastic guest artists. It will be anideal opportunity to reflect on our 40 years but of course weneed to raise money for our new building, which is so mucha part of our future.”

For information about NBT’s 40th Anniversary tour visitwww.northernballettheatre.co.uk

Main photo:Martin Bell, LoriGilchrist, David Wardand Georgina May.

Photo: Bill Cooper

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inside: interview

I had never really beeninterested in ballet...As Wuthering Heights returns to the NBT

repertoire, Claude-Michel Schönberg, the

celebrated composer of Les Misérables, Miss

Saigon and, of course, NBT’s Wuthering Heights

shares his thoughts on our 40th Anniversary.

I had never really been interested in ballet until I learnt about

the philosophy of Northern Ballet Theatre created by

Christopher Gable and had my first meeting with David

Nixon for our project, Wuthering Heights.

As a musical composer my passion is to tell stories through

the music. Ballets were only a good opportunity to enjoy

brilliant demonstrations of technique, grace and beauty, but

not particularly emotional for me. I have a lot of problems

with those endless solos one after the other (generally in

act 2); with the rest of the company waiting upstage and

pretending they were interested in what was happening.

One day a journalist asked me “What is ballet for you?” my

answer was:” A fight against gravity!”

But NBT is totally different. To tell a story through ballet is the

only way to bring a young audience to the theatre, as you

share with them an emotion which is part of the “catharsis”

phenomena: portraying on stage a little part of the

audience’s own lives. When I saw some of NBT’s productions

I understood that ballet is not only perfect positions, legs and

feet, but a powerful expression of the character’s spirituality.

In the future I believe you will see new choreographers

telling stories through modern works and, at the end

of the day, NBT will be one of the companies responsible for

this evolution.

Of course now my vision of ballet has changed, it is not

anymore a challenge in order to escape “gravity” but to

tell through body language what no word and even no

music can tell.

Congratulations to NBT on your 40th anniversary.

Claude-Michel Schönberg

This page: ChristopherHinton-Lewis asHeathcliff and MarthaLeebolt as CatherineEarnshaw in Wuthering Heights.

Photo: HANSON

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inside:Partnerships update

Leeds Met partnership Leeds Met has pledged asubstantial donation to NBT's newbuilding in which its new dancecourses will take place.

“Leeds Met’s partnership with NBTadds significant value to bothorganisations, in terms of theopportunities given to our studentsto rub shoulders with champions inthe world of dance and the supportwe can give to NBT withinternational and national tours.It is a privilege for students andstaff to work with outstandingprofessionals in the arts, many ofwhom have the chance toexperience top quality dance,sometimes for the first time in theirlives. Leeds Met continues to workalongside this world-classorganisation, looking to the future,going beyond boundaries andmaking a positive differencetogether.”Professor Sally Brown,Pro-Vice Chancellor at Leeds Met

At a time of economic uncertainty,when corporate sponsorship isdifficult to achieve, the Leeds Metpartnership is fantastic news forNBT. It offers unique synergiesbetween two of the North’spioneering organisations andallows us to continue to produceinnovative new productions and toreach diverse audiences.

inside takes a look at some of theevents NBT and Leeds Met havebeen working on over the past few months.

dancing cheekto cheek

This page:Guiliano Contadiniand Ben Mitchellperform at theYorkshire Gold event.

Photo: courtesy of Leeds Met

NBT is nearly at the end of the first year of a three-year tourpartnership with Leeds Metropolitan University (Leeds Met).It is a meaningful and award-winning relationship that hasgrown organically over the past four years involving studentsand staff of both organisations.

Energiser SessionsWith the issue of health and fitness atthe forefront of everyone’s minds,Leeds Met was keen to use theirpartnership with NBT to put staff andstudents through their paces. NBT’sDance Education team led a series ofenergiser sessions in September toover 2,300 staff and students. Thesessions lasted 15 minutes andincluded a fun warm up and aninteractive aerobic workout.

Students go nuts forThe Nutcracker100 Leeds Met students got aunique, behind-the-scenes glimpseof NBT’s preparations for TheNutcracker when they attended atechnical rehearsal at the GrandTheatre, Leeds in December.

The students listened to a talkabout The Nutcracker from DavidNixon and NBT’s Technical Director,Andy Waddington. The event tookplace during the University’s‘Festival of Partnerships’ and is anexample of how, because of itspartnership with NBT, Leeds Metstudents have greater access toballet and are involved in theCompany’s activities.

In November, five NBT dancers gave afantastic performance at the launchof Yorkshire Gold hosted by LeedsMet. Yorkshire Gold celebrated andexplored the many opportunitiesoffered to the Yorkshire region by theLondon 2012 Olympics. Universitystaff and students welcomed PaulDeighton, Chief Executive of theLondon Organising Committee forthe 2012 Olympic and ParalympicGames, for a day packed withactivities to showcase the region’syoung talent and internationallyrenowned arts organisations, NBTand Opera North.

Mark Skipper, NBT’s ChiefExecutive said, “We were thrilledto have been invited to performat the launch. As one of theNorth’s leading arts organisationswe feel we can assist thecampaign in enhancing theregion’s profile and highlightingthe many cultural opportunitieson offer. The 2012 Olympics willprovide a fantastic platform forus to further our partnership withLeeds Met, reach new audiencesand highlight the ways people ofall ages and abilities can engagewith the Company.”

NBT goes for Yorkshire Gold

16

inside:capital campaign update

NBT’s fundraisingcampaign gainsmomentum

momentum eventsWe have held a number of fundraising events for momentum includingStarters and Afters, an event hosted by the Ambassadors of NBT.Patrons enjoyed a light lunch at the Grand Theatre, Leeds,followed by a talk with David Nixon and watched the technicalrehearsal of The Nutcracker.

An exciting event was hosted for NBT at the Royal Opera House.Dancers, staff and supporters enjoyed an exclusive backstage tour, apre-performance champagne reception and a performance of theRoyal Ballet’s Mixed Programme. After the performance there was aparty and supper attended by the Artistic and Executive teams of bothcompanies as well as dancers from NBT and the Royal Ballet including:Principal’s Edward Watson and Viacheslav Samadurov; First Soloist,Rupert Pennefather; and Soloists Johannes Stepanek and StevenMcRae. The event was a fantastic success, not only raising funds for momentum but also forging closer relationships between the companies.

Further events to look out for include a lunch organised by theAmbassadors of NBT to celebrate the start of building work on site;a piano recital at Salts Mill, Saltaire, Bradford with renowned concertpianist Kathryn Stott on 29 May; and NBT’s 40th Anniversary Gala on 12 December at the Grand Theatre, Leeds. Artists from NBT will bejoined by guest artists from across music and theatre for the uniquegala to celebrate our Anniversary.

Fundraising updateOur Christmas 2008 home season at the Grand Theatre, Leeds, was ourmost successful period ever with more than 21,600 people attending 16performances of The Nutcracker, an average of 1,351 people perperformance. It was also an opportunity to tell our audiences about themomentum campaign. At each curtain call dancers made a personalappeal to the audience for support towards momentum, NBT’s fundraisingcampaign for a new building on Quarry Hill in central Leeds. Dancers incostume held collection buckets at the exit doors and in total a staggering£18,039 was raised. This means that our fundraising total for ourmomentum campaign has topped £922k with only £578k of our £1.5mtarget still to raise.

ProgressSince the last edition of inside planning permission has been granted forthe new building. Reaching this key milestone was a very important stepwhich has allowed everything to move forward. The designs andcontractual agreements have been signed off and building work is due tostart on-site imminently.

We are also investigating how we can make best use of the new buildingand are in discussions with a range of partners on creating a centre ofexcellence for dance in the North of England. We are also exploringopportunities for space hire, programming our studio theatre and thecatering facilities we can offer.

Visit www.building-momentum.co.uk for news and events or call 0113 274 5355 and speak to Melanie Aram, Capital Campaign Managerabout how you could support momentum. You can also make adonation online at www.northernballettheatre.co.uk

Top: NBT’s dancers KennethTindall, Hannah Bateman,Isabella Gasparini and ThomasAragones enjoying a tour ofthe Royal Opera House.

Below: Artist’s impression ofthe new NBT building by theStrategic Design Alliance.

17

inside:with learning & access

The week long forum, held in conjunctionwith the China Disabled Person’sFederation, involved 240 disabled and able-bodied young people from across theglobe taking part in activities to empowerthem to be leaders in their communitiesand to develop the Paralympic Spirit.

NBT Dance Education Officers Sophie Alderand Caroline Burn, and musician BillLaurance, led dance workshops for a groupof 30 young people with the aim ofincreasing their confidence,communication and leadership skills, andcreating a dance piece to be performed in a showcase at the end of the project.Other organisations led workshopsfocusing on sports science, theatre,film-making and digital art.

Following the success of our visit to China in December 2007, our Learning &

Access team returned to Beijing in September 2008 as part of the British

Council’s Young Advocates Programme – Developing the Paralympic Spirit.

Jo Dean, Learning & Access Co-ordinator sharesextracts from her China diary with inside:

Day 1 First day of workshops. Our groupincluded participants from China, Hong Kong,the UK and Jordan. Introductions and warmups addressed the participants’ varying ability,confidence and dance experience, enablingthem to learn a sequence, and work in smallgroups to develop a short dance piece.We were fortunate to attend the stunningopening ceremony of the Paralympic Gameswhich highlighted what a fantastic project wewere involved in.

Day 2 We were really impressed, and at times moved, by how well the group wasworking together. They had some fantasticideas, creating choreography based on the shapes and patterns found in flags fromaround the world.

Visits to the Great Wall, the Birds Nest Stadiumand a performance by the China DisabledPeople’s Performing Arts Troupe at the Poly Theatre offered a glimpse of Beijing’sexciting culture.

Day 3 Despite the hectic schedule, theparticipants were obviously inspired by theperformance at the Poly Theatre and by theend of the day we had structured the piecefor the showcase, bringing all their creativework together.

Evening social activities were fantasticopportunities for the young advocates to engage and interact and share theircultural experiences.

Day 4 Performance day. Our group performedreally well and gained a sense of achievementand empowerment performing in front oftheir peers. It was fantastic to see them growin confidence throughout the week and theirability to communicate through movementhelped overcome the language barrier.

As a finale to the project we met HRH the Earlof Wessex. As NBT’s Royal Patron he was keento hear how these inspirational young peoplehad created a positive, welcoming andexciting atmosphere, whilst developing the skills to promote the Paralympic Spirit intheir communities.

dance across the globe

“The best thing about YAP is that it isa forum which has allowed peopleto better understand,play with,andchallenge their conceptions anddisability,teamwork and self-identity”- Group Leader.

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inside: the classical training department

18

Sophie Hall and Matthew Valentine were two of the first students to

enter NBT’s Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) and will be the first

ever students to graduate from a full five years of training with NBT.

As they polish off their pirouettes and prepare to flee the NBT nest they

reflect on what has been five years of hard work and dedication.

Sophie has always loved dancing.“Like many littlegirls I always dreamed of being a ballerina. Sixyears ago I joined the NBT Associate programmeand after one year I was asked to audition for anew programme that would train young peoplewith exceptional dance talent. When I gotaccepted I was really surprised! NBT very quicklybecame part of my life and now as I prepare toleave I can say I’ve learnt so much, made lots offriends and have many happy memories.”

Matthew also realised he wanted to be a dancerat a young age.“I’ve been dancing since I wasfour. A friend introduced me, I went along to aballet class and I’ve never looked back. I’ve alwaysreally enjoyed it and it’s great for keeping inshape. When I joined NBT I wasn’t sure what toexpect. It has been a lot harder than I thought butI can’t believe how far I’ve come and the qualityof training I’ve had.”

Training five days a week shows great passion anddetermination.“Sometimes it can be hard, I have

to be organised to fit my homework around mydance training. NBT has always encouragedstudents to work hard both in training and withour academic studies,” says Sophie.

Matthew continues:“I really think living at homehas given me the support I needed to achieve mypotential. It’s meant I’ve had the best of bothworlds; fantastic training opportunities withworld-class teachers while at the same timestaying at school with my friends and gettingsupport from my family. Leaving home at 12 yearsold would have been too early for me.I like being at school with my friends, they knowballet is what I’m passionate about so they arereally supportive,” says Matthew.

The students will leave NBT with a taste for the

stage having performed with the Company in The

Nutcracker.“Dancing in the role of a maid in The

Nutcracker alongside the Company was such an

honour and really gave me a huge sense of

achievement” says Sophie. Matthew adds:“We got

a real insight into performing life and it made me

even hungrier to achieve my dream of becoming

a professional dancer.”

NBT Ballet Mistress Yoko Ichino knows only too

well of the trials and tribulations that lie ahead for

Sophie and Matthew.“They already know training

isn’t easy but we’ve given them a fantastic start.

We’ve not only helped them develop their

technique but also their knowledge of nutrition

and how to look after their bodies. Ballet training

is full of challenges, scrutiny and an unforgiving

demand for discipline. I want our students to

leave NBT and become outstanding, healthy

dancers who not only excel in technique but also

recognise the importance of a positive mind and

a healthy body.”

A dream that’snot tutu far...

inside is published biannually by Northern Ballet Theatre

Northern Ballet TheatreWest Park CentreSpen LaneLeeds LS16 5BE Telephone +44 (0)113 274 5355Fax +44 (0)113 274 5381www.northernballettheatre.co.uk

BOARD OF DIRECTORSCouncillor Bernard Atha CBE (Chairman)Dr Jo ButterworthGraham DewhirstDavid ForbesJon HammondSusie HargreavesAlan HarrisonDenise JaggerProfessor Simon LeeCouncillor John ProcterPhil Swallow

ARTISTIC DIRECTORDavid Nixon

CHIEF EXECUTIVEMark Skipper

MUSIC DIRECTORJohn Pryce-Jones

INSIDE EDITORIAL TEAMLaraine Penson Ruth Burke-KennedyCatherine Hall

Northern Ballet Theatre is a touring narrative dancecompany whose distinctive blend of classical danceand theatre is renowned for captivating newaudiences. For up to 30 weeks of the year NBT’scompany of 40 dancers tour a combination of newwork and acclaimed repertory pieces to all four UKcountries and overseas.This extensive touringschedule demonstrates NBT’s commitment toproviding opportunities for all people to have access toexcellence in dance performance and participation.

Designed by Andrassy Design01484 434844

Printed by Axis01484 722 732

Supported by:

Charity No: 259140VAT No: 146 6307 66Company Registration No: 947096Registered in England and WalesCompany limited by guarantee and share capital

Please note that information is correct at the time of publication but is subject to change.

Top inset: Sophie Hall inthe dressing room.

This page: MatthewValentine adjusts hiscostume in preparationfor a performance.

Photo: Simon Lawson

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