45th Anniversary Sapphire Gala at Leeds Grand Theatre

2 Mar 2015

Northern Ballet dancers are joined by international ballet star Xander Parish of the Mariinsky Ballet, as well as guest artists from The Australian Ballet, The Royal Ballet, Hamburg Ballet and Phoenix Dance Theatre for their world exclusive 45th Anniversary Sapphire Gala at Leeds Grand Theatre on Saturday 14 March.
This is a rare opportunity to see exceptional dance talent from across the globe, brought to the stage for one magical performance. The gala will showcase new and classic pieces from renowned choreographers and Northern Ballet’s incredible dancers will be joined on stage for one night only by some of the world’s most celebrated dance artists, many of whom are rarely seen in the UK.
This dazzling evening will feature international ballet star Xander Parish. Born in Yorkshire and trained at the Royal Ballet School, Xander was the first British dancer to join St. Petersburg’s Mariinsky Ballet. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see Xander on stage in Leeds. He will perform Eric Gauthier’s Ballet 101, a solo described as a humorous ‘crash course’ in classical ballet.
Dancers from The Royal Ballet will perform a pas de deux from Swan Lake and whilst dancers from The Australian Ballet will perform extracts of their magical Cinderella. Northern Ballet will also be joined by renowned contemporary dance company and neighbours Phoenix Dance Theatre who will perform Shift by Christopher Bruce CBE.
Northern Ballet’s spectacular dancers will perform new pieces specially created for them by Artistic Director David Nixon OBE; former Royal Ballet Dancer and acclaimed choreographer Jonathan Watkins (who is creating the Northern Ballet’s 2015 première 1984); Northern Ballet premier dancer and upcoming choreographer Kenneth Tindall and Ballet Master Daniel de Andrade.
The Company will also perform Little Monsters by Stuttgart Ballet’s resident choreographer Demis Volpi and Northern Ballet Soloist Lucia Solari will be joined by Alexandr Trusch from Hamburg Ballet to perform an extract from their adaptation of The Nutcracker whilst Northern Ballet Premier Dancer Javier Torres will perform a pas de deux from Othello with the company’s Carolina Agüero.
Audiences will also be treated to a grander version of the Charleston from Northern Ballet’s blockbuster ballet The Great Gatsby.