Press Release: Season of dynamic new dance at Leeds' Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre

[Jan McNulty]

Season of dynamic new dance at Leeds’ Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre

 

The Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre at Northern Ballet has launched a new season of dance for spring 2016.Highlights of the season will include appearances by JV2 and John Ross Dance, both performing in Leeds for the first time.

On 19 April JV2 present JV2 2016, a triple bill as part of their 2016 national spring tour. Formed by Artistic Director Jasmin Vardimon, JV2 is a hand-picked ensemble of 16 young, talented international dancers. This year JV2 will present a programme of new and established work to develop, encourage and cultivate both young talent and young audiences. The triple bill features Jasmin Vardimon’s work (in between), first created for the National Youth Dance Company, which echoes the relationship between humans and the natural environment. It also includes new works by AΦE, an Ashford-based dance company founded by Esteban Fourmi and Aoi Nakamura, and Vinicius Salles.

For one night only, John Ross Dance presents Blink on 4 May, bringing to Leeds work by the 2013 New Adventures Choreographer Award winner John Ross, also named as one of the BBC Performing Arts Fund’s 32 Ones to Watch for 2015. Blink is a dance-theatre interpretation of American author Mitch Albom’s best-selling novel The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Eddie, a bitter old man, dies trying to save a little girl, and so begins a series of encounters with five important people from instrumental periods in his life. Set to the beautifully haunting music of composer Greg Haines, Blink stages Ross’ signature trademark of emotive and physically compelling storytelling.

Also at the theatre, Phoenix Dance Theatre will celebrate youth dance from across the region with their annual Yorkshire Youth Dance Platform, and Ballet Central will present a sparkling programme of ballet, neoclassical, contemporary and narrative dance. In July, National Youth Dance Company will return to Leeds with In-Nocentes, a new work by Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Michael Keegan-Dolan, and Leeds-based dance and musical theatre college Renaissance Arts will celebrate their fifth anniversary with performances by the current full-time students. 

In addition, the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre will open its doors for a day of insight into the relationship between dancer and choreographer on 17 June for Tell Tale Steps, showcasing the creative process of choreographing narrative dance. Northern Ballet will also host Expressions on 22 June, a sharing which brings together inclusive dance groups, giving talented dancers with disabilities the chance to showcase their skills to an audience on a professional stage. This event is part of the Beyond Festival, celebrating the work of artists with learning disabilities. More information on both of these events will be announced soon.

The theatre’s spring season offers a unique chance to see dynamic young performers and works by highly acclaimed choreographers in an intimate setting. Tickets for the spring season at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre are on sale now and can be booked online at theatreleeds.com, by calling the box office on 0113 220 8008 or in person at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre, Northern Ballet, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7PA. 

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Listings 

Friday 01 April

Phoenix Dance Theatre

Yorkshire Youth Dance Platform

Performance 7.30pm

Tickets £6.00 & Concessions £4.00

 

Tuesday 19 April

JV2

JV2 2016

Performance 7.30pm

Tickets £10.00

Thursday 28 April

Ballet Central

Ballet Central 2016

Performance 7.30pm

Tickets £12.50 & Concessions £10.00

 

Wednesday 04 May

John Ross Dance

Blink

Performance 7.30pm

Tickets £10.00

 

Friday 17 June
Northern Ballet

Tell Tale Steps
See theatreleeds.com for booking updates

 

Wednesday 22 June

Hosted by Northern Ballet 

Expressions

See theatreleeds.com for booking updates

 

Sunday 03 July

National Youth Dance Company

In-Nocentes

Performance 7.30pm

Tickets £12.00 & Concessions £6.00

 

Saturday 09 & Sunday 10 July

Renaissance Arts

5 Year Anniversary Performance

Performances 7.30pm & Sunday matinée 2.30pm

Tickets £18.50 & Concessions £10.00 (Sunday matinée only)
 

 

Notes to Editors

The Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre is an intimate studio theatre situated inside the stunning home of Northern Ballet and Phoenix Dance Theatre on Quarry Hill, Leeds. The building was winner of the 2011 National Lottery Award for Best Arts Project. The theatre was named as the best family friendly theatre in Yorkshire in the Netmums Theatre Awards. The theatre also received Best Family Venue, Best Family Event and Best Family Welcome at the 2013 Family Arts Festival Awards. The Stanley & Audrey Burton has signed up to the Family Arts Standards and supports Child Friendly Leeds.