What’s On: Northern Ballet brings Brontë’s Jane Eyre ‘home’ to Leeds and Sheffield in stunning production
Renowned company Northern Ballet is proud to bring this tale of passion and rebellion home to Yorkshire.
Delighting ballet enthusiasts as well as first-time ballet audiences, the acclaimed production is at Leeds Grand Theatre from March 14 – 22 and Sheffield Lyceum from April 22 - 26 – book tickets here.
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Their signature mix of exquisite dancing and theatrical drama, make their unmissable productions accessible yet complex, bringing intrigue and entertainment.
Choreographed and directed by Cathy Marston, this new production is accompanied by live music by Philip Feeney – and has received glowing reviews.
“Cathy Marston displays a novelist’s touch in layering characters in her wonderfully choreographed show for Northern Ballet,” said The Guardian, whilst the Telegraph reviewer enthused: “Northern Ballet’s new Jane Eyre is a beautiful and expressive tribute to Brontë.”
The Yorkshire Post reviewer gave it five stars, saying: “Jane Eyre has been reimagined a thousand times before, but maybe never quite so perfectly as this production by Northern Ballet.”
Meet the dancers
Joseph Taylor explains how he feels in the role of Mr Rochester: “I see Jane Eye as physical theatre production or a silent play told through dance. Not your traditional classical tutu but a modern way of bringing a classic story to life through the medium of art. It pushes the boundaries of where narrative ballet is in the 21st century.
“We always have a great fan base in Leeds and the Leeds Grand Theatre is such a beautiful venue. It feels so fitting for the ballet to be performed in Yorkshire, so close to where the Brontes grew up and took inspiration for their timeless novels.”
Dominique Larose who is playing Jane Eyre, said: “I am deeply drawn to Jane as a character. While she is often described as ‘plain’, she is anything but. Her quiet strength, resilience and generosity shine vividly through the choreography, making her an inspiring and multifaceted role to embody.”
She added: “One moment I’m especially looking forward to is dancing the final pas de deux, where Rochester is blind. The music in this section is incredibly powerful and deeply moving, which adds an extra layer of emotion to the choreography. It’s such a poignant conclusion to their story, and I can’t wait to bring that depth and intensity to life through both movement and music.”
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Charlotte Brontë wrote from her parsonage home in Haworth and the brooding landscape of the Yorkshire moors is embedded in every page of Jane Eyre.
In the story, Jane is an educated woman who makes her own way in the world and when she accepts a position as governess at Thornfield Hall, doesn’t expect to fall in love with the brooding Mr Rochester.
Experience the twists and turns of her life in a towering manor house and sweeping Yorkshire moors. With heart-stirring choreography that captures the essence, watch Jane’s journey unfold.
Book tickets now
Book now for Leeds or Sheffield, and find out more about other performances including at Nottingham Theatre Royal in April and Sadler’s Wells, London and Norwich Theatre Royal in May.
Visit the website here to find out more and to book.
Future productions
There’s more romance, passion and tragedy when Northern Ballet present Romeo & Juliet this summer. The greatest love story ever told is back – as Northern Ballet’s electrifying production returns to Leeds Playhouse June 18 - 21. In this ultimate tale of forbidden love, Shakespeare’s story of two young people risking everything to be together, is told through dance.
More star-crossed lovers feature in Merlin from September 13 - 20 at Leeds Grand Theatre, as the Northern Ballet tells the story of two kingdoms at war and one boy with a whole lot of magic. Discover how the world’s most famous sorcerer mastered his powers in the epic adventure you’ve been waiting for. Spectacular sets and costumes are coupled with mind-boggling special effects, world-class dance and even a dragon.
Could there be anything more breathtakingly magical at Christmas time than The Nutcracker? Northern Ballet’s glorious telling of this magical festive story will be performed from December 18 to January 4 At Leeds Grand Theatre.
Tickets for these productions are on sale now.