Northern Ballet announces new creation “Gentleman Jack” for 2026, looking for deputy wigs and makeup manager

Northern Ballet has announced the new creation, Gentlemen Jack, to premiere in spring 2026.

This marks many firsts for the Leeds, the UK, -based company, which is known for narrative ballet. It encompasses the local history, socio-cultural issues, diversity and the compny’s attempt to break the boundaries of classical ballet. I am personally (super) excited by the announcement.

Gentlemen Jack is Northern Ballet’s first original full-scale ballet since 2021 and the first under Artistic Director Federico Bonelli (Amazing dancer. I liked him the best in Onegin. I saw his Eugene Onegin for the first time with Laura Morerra as Tatiana and again with him and Yasmin Nagdhi about ten years later. Whatever other roles he danced, he always nailed them. Professional).

The ballet is “based on the extraordinary life of Anne Lister, or ‘Gentleman Jack’ (1791-1840), the historical Yorkshire figure often referred to as ‘the first modern lesbian’ whose diaries have captivated audiences around the world,” the company says in the press release dated 1 October, 2024. (I am excited about this after the Australian Ballet premiered Christopher Wheeldon’s Oscar, the male “out” ballet. I was thinking there had to be a lesbian take and now Federico is doing it).

The creative team is selected to respect Lister and create an impact. It includes Sally Wainwright, writer of the BBC/HBO TV series Gentleman Jack, as creative consultant; celebrated choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa (the mesmerising Broken Wings) and New Zealand-based composer Claire Cowan who will create a new score for the ballet.

Gentleman Jack will open in Leeds in spring 2026 and tour to Sheffield, Nottingham, Salford, London and Norwich with live music. (Live music! Northern Ballet made a difficult decision a couple of years ago to use recorded music for some performances instead of their orchestra to cut costs. I hope this announcement will mark the gradual full return of live music for Northern Ballet.)

Northern Ballet partners internationally with the Finnish National Ballet, which will perform Gentleman Jack in Helsinki in April 2028.

You see I got so excited that I inserted many personal notes. To read the clean press release, click here.

I copy and paste Federico’s statement about the inspiration and the socio-cultural aspects of the new creation here because it is inspiring.

“Northern Ballet is renowned for our expert storytelling and mastery of ballet technique, and this production will be no exception. Like many, I first became aware of Anne Lister through the BBC drama in 2019 and have been fascinated by how the traditionally gendered language of classical ballet could be adapted to convey her story.

As an organisation our aim is to break down barriers to world class ballet for larger and more diverse audiences. It is my vision to diversify the stories represented in ballet, and add to the landscape of the dance sector through stories that connect with audiences. Anne Lister’s story, the story of someone many call the first modern lesbian is a perspective we rarely see represented through ballet. With her connection to our home in Yorkshire it feels like a perfect fit, and I am thrilled that Annabelle Lopez Ochoa will choreograph this ballet alongside a talented creative team.”

Federico’s wife is the beautiful and amazing Hikaru Kobayashi. They danced with many international companies and the Royal Ballet before retiring from the stage.

Separately, Northern Ballet is looking for Deputy Wigs & Makeup Manager to join the Wigs Department. The job application deadline is 15 November 2024. Interviews will take place in Leeds in the week commencing 9 December 2024. The start date is mid-January 2025. For more details and apply, click here.

Prima Materia is (unfortunately) not associated with Northern Ballet. Contact the company directly for any enquiries.