Jan McNulty Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 Northern Ballet brings history’s greatest lover to the stage with the World Première of Casanova Northern Ballet is to bring history’s most notorious lover to life with its new ballet Casanova. The internationally acclaimed company will transport audiences to decadent 18th century Venice, telling the sensational story of the infamous Italian adventurer in a seductive masquerade of passion and politics. Commissioned by Artistic Director David Nixon OBE, Casanova will be the first full-length ballet by award-winning choreographer Kenneth Tindall. Its World Première will take place at Leeds Grand Theatre on 11 March 2017 before touring to seven UK venues in spring 2017 with further venues to be announced for autumn. The fiercely intellectual Giacomo Casanova leads a controversial life consumed by his desires. He dabbles in careers as a scam artist, violinist, alchemist, spy and church cleric but with a penchant for gambling and women, his exploits lead him into a whirlwind of scandal and excess leading to imprisonment and exile. A true story so sensational you won’t believe it’s real - showing Casanova is so much more than the infamous lover we know. This major new World Première will be choreographed by Kenneth Tindall, who was most recently nominated for Best Classical Choreography and the Emerging Artist Award at the 2015 National Dance Awards. In addition to creations for Northern Ballet and other international organisations including John Neumeier’s Bundesjugendballett and English National Ballet’s Emerging Artist Competition, he recently collaborated with celebrated artist Linder Sterling and the British Art Show on Children of the Mantic Stain. With an acclaimed creative team, Kenneth Tindall will co-create the scenario with actor, dramatist and historical biographer Ian Kelly, author of the 2008 Sunday Times Biography of the Year Casanova. The production will be set to an original score by modern classical, film and television composer Kerry Muzzey. Sets and costumes will be designed by Tony and Olivier award winning Christopher Oram, whose recent credits include Hughie for the Booth Theatre, New York and The Winter’s Tale for the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company at the Garrick Theatre. Lighting will be by Alastair West whose Northern Ballet credits include Giselle, I Got Rhythm, Jane Eyre and Kenneth Tindall’s Luminous Juncture and The Architect. Kenneth Tindall’s previous credits for Northern Ballet include one-act ballets Project #1, Luminous Juncture and The Architect. Kenneth said: ‘I am thrilled that my first full-length ballet will be with Northern Ballet, a company that holds a special place for me. Casanova lived a life far richer and stranger than most fictions and the physicality, theatricality and energy of his exploits make him a perfect subject for the stage.’ David Nixon OBE, Artistic Director at Northern Ballet, said: ‘I am delighted to give Kenneth the opportunity to create his first full-length ballet with the Company where he spent the majority of his performing career and where he first began to choreograph. Casanova’s story is one of sex, romance, intrigue and scandal and I am looking forward to surprising our audiences and challenging the idea of Casanova as nothing more than a prolific lover.’ Casanova will tour to Leeds, Edinburgh, Sheffield, Norwich, Milton Keynes, Cardiff, Salford and London in spring 2017. See northernballet.com/casanova for details. -ENDS- Notes to Editors Production Credits Choreography Kenneth Tindall Original Scenario Ian Kelly and Kenneth Tindall (adapted from Ian Kelly’s biography of Casanova) Music Kerry Muzzey Set & Costume Design Christopher Oram Lighting Design Alastair West Casanova – Tour Dates Leeds Grand Theatre (World Première) 11 – 18 March 2017 Box Office 0844 848 2700 leedsgrandtheatre.com On general sale 1 June 2016 Edinburgh, Festival Theatre 23 – 25 March 2017 Box Office 0131 529 6000 edtheatres.com On general sale 30 May 2016 Sheffield, Lyceum Theatre 28 March – 1 April 2017 0114 249 6000 sheffieldtheatres.co.uk On general sale 18 June 2016 Norwich Theatre Royal 4 – 8 April 2017 01603 630 000 theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk On general sale 16 August 2016 Milton Keynes Theatre 19 – 22 April 2017 0844 871 7652 atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes On general sale 6 June 2016 Cardiff New Theatre 25 – 29 April 2017 029 2087 8889 newtheatrecardiff.co.uk On general sale 8 June 2016 Salford, The Lowry 3 – 6 May 2017 0843 208 6000 thelowry.com On general sale 1 June 2016 London, Sadler’s Wells 9 – 13 May 2017 0844 412 4300 sadlerswells.com On general sale 7 November 2016 Northern Ballet For more details of Northern Ballet's tour, on sale dates and booking information, please visit northernballet.com/whatson. Voted Best Company at the Taglioni European Ballet Awards and nominated for Best Company at the 2015 National Dance Awards, Northern Ballet is one of the UK’s five large ballet companies. Based in Leeds it performs throughout the UK as well as overseas. Northern Ballet’s productions mix classical dance and theatre, embracing popular culture and taking inspiration from literature, opera, or giving a unique interpretation of popular classical ballets. Northern Ballet is the busiest touring ballet company in the UK and is typically on the road for around 32 weeks of the year. The Company of 46 dancers tours a combination of full-length new work and established repertoire to cities throughout the UK. Northern Ballet also tours widely with its specially created ballets for children, all of which have beenadapted for TV by CBeebies, and also performs a mixed programme showcasing the versatility of its dancers. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted May 23, 2016 Author Share Posted May 23, 2016 OK, I'm putting my rabid Northern Ballet Fan hat on here. I'm really excited about this ... a new ballet by Kenny Tindall is always an experience ... and the company are coming to The Lowry. My cup runneth over with joy!!! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alice Shortcake Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 *adds Leeds dates to diary* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Wall Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 (edited) Oh, and I so hope they bring the JANE EYRE to London as well. Sadly I have to be in Budapest for work during the two Richmond dates next week Huge applause for David Nixon. The man is doing a spectacular developmental job. We all owe him thanks. Edited May 23, 2016 by Bruce Wall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 Curses, I guess that means we won't be getting Jane Eyre down here any time soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted January 15, 2017 Author Share Posted January 15, 2017 Here's a lovely podcast interview with Kenny Tindall: http://www.thewonderfulworldofdance.com/northern-ballet-choreographer-kenneth-tindall-talks-creating-new-ballet-casanova Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted January 23, 2017 Author Share Posted January 23, 2017 A feature on Ian Kelly who wrote the biography of Casanova that is the starting point for the ballet: http://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/news/feature-venice-and-eye-will-be-forever-linked-after-playwright-s-balletic-re-telling-of-casanova-s-story-1-7786206 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted January 30, 2017 Author Share Posted January 30, 2017 Northern Ballet brings history’s greatest lover to the stage with the World Première of Casanova World Première – Leeds Grand Theatre, 11 – 18 March 2017 Also touring to – Edinburgh, Sheffield, Norwich, Milton Keynes, Cardiff, Salford and London northernballet.com/casanova In just 6 weeks' time Northern Ballet is bringing history’s most notorious lover to life with its sensual new ballet Casanova. The internationally acclaimed company will transport audiences to 18th century Venice, telling the story of the infamous Italian adventurer in a seductive masquerade of passion and politics. The World Première for Casanova will be held at Leeds Grand Theatre from 11 – 18 March 2017 before touring to Edinburgh, Sheffield, Norwich, Milton Keynes, Cardiff, Salford and London until May 2017. In Northern Ballet’s Casanova the fiercely intellectual Giacomo Casanova leads a controversial life consumed by his desires. He dabbles in careers as a scam artist, violinist, alchemist and church cleric but with a penchant for gambling and women, his exploits lead him into a whirlwind of scandal and excess resulting in imprisonment and exile. A true story so sensational you won’t believe it’s real. Casanova will be choreographed by award-winning Kenneth Tindall who was most recently nominated for Best Classical Choreography and the Emerging Artist Award at the 2015 National Dance Awards. In addition to creations for Northern Ballet and other international organisations including John Neumeier’s Bundesjugendballett and English National Ballet’s Emerging Artist Competition, he recently collaborated with celebrated artist Linder Sterling and the British Art Show on Children of the Mantic Stain. With a stellar creative team, Kenneth Tindall will co-create the scenario with actor, dramatist and historical biographerIan Kelly, author of the 2008 Sunday Times Biography of the Year Casanova. The production will be set to an original score by modern classical, film and television composer Kerry Muzzey, played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia. Sets and costumes will be designed by Tony and Olivier award winning Christopher Oram, whose recent credits include Hughiefor the Booth Theatre, New York and The Winter’s Tale for the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company at the Garrick Theatre. Lighting will be designed by Alastair West whose Northern Ballet credits include Giselle, I Got Rhythm, Jane Eyre and Kenneth Tindall’s Luminous Juncture and The Architect. Tickets for all venues are on sale now, see northernballet.com/casanova for details. Casanova is the first of an unprecedented three full-length World Premières to be held by Northern Ballet in 2017. It will be followed by the upcoming World Premières of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas in May 2017 and The Little Mermaid in September 2017. -ENDS- Notes to Editors Production Credits Choreography Kenneth Tindall Original Scenario Ian Kelly and Kenneth Tindall (adapted from Ian Kelly’s biography of Casanova) Music Kerry Muzzey Set & Costume Design Christopher Oram Lighting Design Alastair West Casanova – Tour Dates Leeds Grand Theatre (World Première) 11 – 18 March 2017 Box Office 0844 848 2700* leedsgrandtheatre.com Edinburgh, Festival Theatre 23 – 25 March 2017 Box Office 0131 529 6000 edtheatres.com Sheffield, Lyceum Theatre 28 March – 1 April 2017 0114 249 6000 sheffieldtheatres.co.uk Norwich Theatre Royal 4 – 8 April 2017 01603 630 000 theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk Milton Keynes Theatre 19 – 22 April 2017 0844 871 7652* atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes Cardiff New Theatre 25 – 29 April 2017 029 2087 8889 newtheatrecardiff.co.uk Salford, The Lowry 3 – 6 May 2017 0843 208 6000 thelowry.com London, Sadler’s Wells 9 – 13 May 2017 0844 412 4300* sadlerswells.com *Calls to 0844 numbers cost up to 7p per minute plus your phone company’s charge. Northern Ballet Artistic Director – David Nixon OBE Northern Ballet is one of the UK’s leading ballet companies and the widest touring ballet company in the UK. Bold and innovative in its approach, Northern Ballet is prolific at creating new full-length work with a unique blend of strong classical technique and world-class storytelling. Northern Ballet’s repertoire embraces popular culture and takes inspiration from literature, legend, opera and the classics, pushing the boundaries of what stories can be told through dance. A champion for the cultural exports of the North, Leeds-based Northern Ballet is dedicated to bringing world-class story ballets to as many people and places as possible, under the leadership of Artistic Director David Nixon OBE. Northern Ballet’s Company of 45 dancers performs a combination of its full-length ballets and specially created ballets for children at almost 50 venues annually. Providing the highest standard of live theatre experience, every Northern Ballet performance is accompanied by live music played by Northern Ballet Sinfonia. For more details of Northern Ballet's tour, on sale dates and booking information, please visit northernballet.com/whatson National Tour Sponsor: First Direct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacqueline Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 (edited) There is a feature on Casanova and other works on BBC Look North in the next few minutes! No doubt it will repeated on this evening's edition from 6.30pm onwards. Edited February 3, 2017 by Jacqueline 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacqueline Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Looks interesting, will try and get to see Casanova in Sheffield. Their rehearsal/classroom looks to be at ground level. How tempting to stand outside and gawp through the window in admiration! Until asked to move along. Perhaps the layout is not quite what it seems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted February 3, 2017 Author Share Posted February 3, 2017 One of the main studios (which is double size and converts to the Stanley and Audrey Burton Theatre) is at ground level overlooking the street. I suspect the glass is the type where you can look out but not in. Quarry Hill is a fabulous and welcoming HQ for Northern Ballet and Phoenix Dance Theatre. The cafe in the foyer is open to the public too. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SheilaC Posted February 5, 2017 Share Posted February 5, 2017 There was a preview of an excerpt at the Sadler's Wells Sampled. Six of Northern's excellent young male dancers performed- Nicola Gervasi, Kevin Poeung, Matthew Koon, Matthew Topliss, Luke Francis and Riku Ito. It wasn't clear what roles they were portraying and it fizzled out at the end, when they ran off and the audience wasn't sure if their dance had finished or not. But it was very successful in every other respect. They danced in unison, as a group, so there was no distinct individuality, but the choreography was very good, no gimmicks, contemporary, not unlike ENB's Lest We Forget, and very well danced. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted February 15, 2017 Author Share Posted February 15, 2017 There is a Friends' event tonight - Casanova unmasked. It is being live-streamed: https://northernballet.com/casanova/unmasked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted February 17, 2017 Author Share Posted February 17, 2017 The Friends Event was absolutely superb. There was a huge buzz of excitement in Quarry Hill and I think that transferred itself to the audience. Apart from the sneak peaks the absolute highlight was hearing Ian Kelly (Casanova's biographer who also worked on the scenario) speaking about his passion for the 18th Century and Casanova. The livestream is now available for online viewing both as a whole and also split into easy to watch sections: https://northernballet.com/casanova/unmasked 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacqueline Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Just got a ticket for the Sat mat at Sheffield. Looking forward to it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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