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Northern Ballet dancers in Gentleman Jack. © Emily Nuttall i
“Gentleman Jack” Celebrates a Triumphant World Premiere in Leeds
Details
11 March 2026
Leeds / United Kingdom
On 7 March 2026, Gentleman Jack, FEDORA – VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Dance Prize 2025 Winner led by Northern Ballet celebrated its world premiere at the Leeds Grand Theatre, marking a major milestone for this bold new work.
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© ©Tristram Kenton i
Gemma Coutts and Saeka Shirai in Gentleman Jack. Photo Tristram Kenton
Northern Ballet dancers in Gentleman Jack. Photo Emily Nuttall 2
© SCOTT M SALT i
Gemma Coutts in Gentleman Jack. Photo Scott Salt 1
Northern Ballet dancers in Gentleman Jack. Photo Colleen Mair 3
© SCOTT M SALT i
Northern Ballet dancers in Gentleman Jack. Photo Scott Salt 3
Gemma Coutts in Gentleman Jack. Photo Colleen Mair 1
© ©Tristram Kenton i
Northern Ballet dancers in Gentleman Jack. Photo Tristram Kenton 9
Gemma Coutts and George Liang in Gentleman Jack. Photo Emily Nuttall
© Emily Nuttall i
Northern Ballet dancers in Gentleman Jack.
© Photo Colleen Mair i
Obtaining 4 & 5 stars reviews from The Guardian, The Times, The Telegraph, The Financial Times, The Reviews Hub & The Yorkshire Post, the ballet choreographed by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa with original music by composer Peter Salem, brings to the stage the life of Anne Lister, the pioneering Yorkshire landowner whose coded diaries documented her relationships with women and her refusal to conform to the norms of her time.
Performed by Northern Ballet (directed by Federico Bonelli), & co-produced with the Finnish National Opera and Ballet, the production transforms Lister’s story into a powerful narrative told through dance.
The premiere in Leeds held particular significance, as the story of Anne Lister is deeply connected to the Yorkshire region. Through expressive choreography and evocative staging, the ballet brings her life and legacy to the stage, capturing both the strength of her character and the intimacy of her personal journey.
The opening night was met with a warm reception from the audience, celebrating the transformation of a remarkable historical story into a compelling contemporary ballet experience.
Congratulations to Northern Ballet, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Peter Salem, Louise Flanagan, Clare Croft, and all the dancers on this inspiring premiere!
Following its debut in Leeds, Gentleman Jack will continue its journey with a London premiere at Sadler’s Wells Theatre beginning 19 May 2026, bringing this innovative production to new audiences.
The FEDORA - VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Dance Prize is supported by Van Cleef & Arpels, in collaboration with Opera Europa. The FEDORA Prizes competition is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Commission.
Next Stop: London at Sadler's Wells Theatre!
Tickets and Information for the London Premiere
Buy your ticket for Gentleman Jack at Sadler’s Wells Theatre. Performances begin 19 May 2026.
"Gentleman Jack" Featured in The New York Times
‘Gentleman Jack’ Brings a Quiet Revolution to Ballet - New York Times Article by Laura Cappelle
