This autumn Northern Ballet returns to West Yorkshire Playhouse with a revival of its much loved Olivier-nominated dance version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The Company will perform this magical production, choreographed by Artistic Director David Nixon OBE, in the Quarry Theatre before taking the production on tour.
In Northern Ballet’s adaptation of the Shakespeare play, which is co-directed by Patricia Doyle, the romantic antics of a touring dance company are played out as it travels by sleeper train from London to Edinburgh. Nixon’s choreography brings out the comedy, romance and entanglements of this enchanting story. His Dior-inspired costumes, along with stylish black and white sets, provide a dazzling contrast to the glorious technicolour of the dreamworld. The production premiered at West Yorkshire Playhouse in 2004 to great acclaim.
David Nixon says: “My version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is about young dancers and the passions and tribulations that a young touring company get themselves entangled in. It was really important to me to bring the romantic elements out of this much loved story. I always enjoy seeing the reaction of the audience to this ballet. It’s great to hear them laughing! The ballet is very playful and uplifting and I think many people are pleasantly surprised to see so much humour captured in dance.”
This lavish production will be performed against stunning sets by Duncan Hayler with music by Felix Medelssohn and Johannes Brahms, arranged by John Longstaff and performed live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream runs from Friday 6th to Saturday 14th September. For more details contact the box office on 0113 2137700 or visit www.wyp.org.uk.
