News.

Northern Ballet comes out on top at UK Theatre Awards

17th October 2018

Northern Ballet has won the award for Achievement in Dance at the UK Theatre Awards following a ceremony on Sunday at London’s historic Guildhall.

 

The UK Theatre Awards are the only nationwide awards to honour and celebrate outstanding achievements in theatre throughout the UK. Recognising accomplishments from September 2017 to August 2018, Northern Ballet was also nominated for the Promotion of Diversity award and the Renee Stepham Award for Best Presentation of Touring Theatre.

 

The Company was recognised with the Achievement in Dance award for its ‘bold and varied programme’ including the world première of The Little Mermaid and its company première of a triple bill of works by Sir Kenneth MacMillan. The award celebrates Northern Ballet’s ongoing determination to challenge the perceptions of ballet, push the boundaries of what stories can be told through dance and bring world-class ballet to the doorsteps of as many people across the UK as possible. Northern Ballet was nominated for this award alongside Ballet Black and National Dance Company Wales.

 

David Nixon OBE, Artistic Director of Northern Ballet, said: ‘I am delighted that Northern Ballet has been presented with the Achievement in Dance award at the UK Theatre Awards. As a company, we work tirelessly to create and perform a varied and exciting repertoire and to bring world-class ballet to the doorsteps of as many people as possible. In 2017 Northern Ballet had a momentous year; as well as presenting three new full-length ballets including The Little Mermaid, we also made history with our debut on the Royal Opera House stage with outstanding performances of Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Gloria. I am so pleased that these triumphs have been recognised through this award.

 

I am also immensely proud that the Company was also nominated for the Promotion of Diversity and Best Presentation of Touring Theatre awards, demonstrating the excellence of the many faces and ambitions of our Company. As these recognitions reflect, we place a huge importance in championing accessibility in dance; working with our creative artists, workforce, audience and students to open the doors of ballet to all.’

 

Northern Ballet is currently on tour with The Three Musketeers which will be followed by festive performances of The Nutcracker. For full tour details visit northernballet.com/whatson