Northern Ballet next new creation, 1984, choreographed by Jonathan Watkins, is to open in Leeds September 2015 before a major tour throughout autumn 2015 and spring 2016.
A new score has been commissioned from Alex Baranowski, who recently worked with Mercury Prize winning band The xx, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and with Jonathan on his dance adaptation of Kes, which premièred at Sheffield Crucible Theatre in March earlier this year.
Sets and costumes will be designed by Simon Daw, whose work includes productions with Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal Opera House and Rambert Dance Company.
Dramaturg Ruth Little and Lighting Designer Chris Davey, known for his work in dance and theatre including collaborations with Matthew Bourne, complete the 1984 creative team.
Originally from Barnsley in Northern Ballet’s home county of Yorkshire, Jonathan, formerly a First Artist with the Royal Ballet, retired from dancing in 2013. He made his main stage choreographic debut in 2010 with As One and collaborated on the Royal Opera House’s Metamorphosis: Titian in 2012.
Jonathan said, ‘I am extremely excited to be working with this multi-talented company to create my vision of 1984. This literary masterpiece has been a constant inspiration to me and now seems a highly relevant time to consider the possibilities of its thought provoking story.’
Northern Ballet maintains its commitment to creating new full-length ballets to further the Company’s mission to bring new audiences to dance. A recently announced funding increase from Arts Council England means Northern Ballet is now in a position to be able to offer more opportunities for more artists to work with them.