The catastrophic cost of a wrong decision sends a beautiful dancer - with everything to live - for spiralling to her nemesis. While we know the plot is heartbreaking, it is the compelling manner in which it agonisingly plays out step-by-step that renders Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes a masterpiece of storytelling.

Undoubtedly best know through the television drama series created by Sally Wainwright, Gentleman Jack is the story of a powerful Yorkshire businesswoman from the 1830s. The 19th century was not a time known for its liberal-minded, easy-going attitudes to women in general and certainly not women who preferred other women as their life partners.

Phoenix Dance Theatre has embarked on an 18-date UK-wide tour with a brand-new mixed bill, Interplay, bringing together work by internationally acclaimed choreographers Travis Knight and James Pett, Ed Myhill, Yusha-Marie Sorzano, and Phoenix Dance Theatre’s Artistic Director, Marcus Jarrell Willis.

From March 2026, the world premiere of Northern Ballet’s new full-length ballet – Gentleman Jack – is set to captivate Yorkshire audiences as part of a nationwide tour, with performances in Leeds (7-14 March 2026), Sheffield (31 March – 4 April) and Bradford (3-5 September).

For many, The Nutcracker is as much a part of Christmas tradition as mulled wine, mince pies and decorating the tree. Being lucky enough to grow up with an annual family trip to the ballet, for me, the Christmas season doesn’t really begin until we take our seats in the auditorium.

Northern Ballet’s Merlin is an ambitious, tightly packed production that sweeps its audience through magic, myth, conflict and love. At its heart is a coming-of-age story, told with both cinematic scope and deeply human emotion. Kevin Poeung is excellent as Merlin, capturing the shifting emotions of adolescence with nuance.

Since Riverdance first emerged onto the world stage, its fusion of Irish and international dance and music has captured the hearts of millions worldwide. The Grammy Award-winning music and the infectious energy of its mesmerising choreography and breathtaking performances have left audiences in awe and established Riverdance as a global cultural sensation. To celebrate this incredible 30th-year milestone, Riverdance will embark on a special anniversary tour in 2025, bringing its magic to audiences around the world. The show will visit 30 UK venues—one for each year of its history—from August to December 2025. We caught up with principal dancers Anna-Mai Fitzpatrick and Fergus Fitzpatrick to learn more.

I have to confess that I love and adore contemporary dance. Not all of it of course, but as a grand sweeping statement then I find that it is my favourite art form. What a treat is was then to be invited to see the last date of VERVE - the international touring dance company of Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD) - as they complete their latest tour at the Leeds Playhouse.

In October 2024 Northern Ballet announced the creation of a major new full-length ballet based on the extraordinary life of 19th century icon Anne Lister, or ‘Gentleman Jack’, the historical Yorkshire figure often referred to as ‘the first modern lesbian’ whose decoded diaries have captivated audiences around the world.

In the second of our three short interviews we hear from Joseph Taylor as Mr Rochester on how he is preparing for the performances of Jane Eyre and what he most enjoys about performing in Northern Ballet’s home city of Leeds.

In the first of three short interviews we hear from Northern Ballet dancers who speak on how they go about their preparation leading up to the performances and what they most enjoy about performing in Northern Ballet’s home city of Leeds.

Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD) has announced that artist Corinne Bailey Rae has been appointed as its newest Patron. Corinne Bailey Rae’s appointment brings a fresh, cross-disciplinary perspective to the leading dance training institution, which has long been a beacon of creativity and artistic excellence.

It’s easy to see why the Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort’s Hot Ice show is described as ‘The Most Spectacular Ice Show in the World’. This year’s production Eternity combines sport and theatre and showcases the best in class talent with high-tech special effects, nail-biting stunts and mesmerising hand-made costume. As the light go down in the Ice Arena there’s an air of anticipation.

Rhythm of the Dance will undertake a Global tour in 2024 to celebrate its “25th Anniversary of touring the world” in 47 countries.

Multi-disciplinary performance company Northern Rascals are bringing their powerful new dance-theatre show, REVIVING HER, to Halifax’s Square Chapel Arts Centre this July. The company impressively combines theatre and dance to explore themes of safety, identity and empowerment in Northern women.

Verve is the Northern School of Contemporary Dance's post-graduate touring dance company. The company's dancers are all current NSCD MA students on the verge of their careers as professional artists, and their talent is formidable, as you'd expect from one of the country's leading dance schools.

There was a real buzz of excitement in the foyer of the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre in Leeds as dozens of families arrived for the opening performance of Tortoise and the Hare.

A mini-picket on the door of Leeds Grand is not the usual reception we might expect as Northern Ballet's Nutcracker returns this winter. Like a true perennial, the ballet itself pops with colour, joy, vivacity, and downright goodness.

Yorke Dance Project, the contemporary ballet company run by Yolande Yorke-Edgell, gave its world première of a new mixed bill called California Connections: Three Pioneering Women, at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre in Leeds last night before embarking on a UK tour in autumn 2023 and spring 2024. California Connections: Three Pioneering Women is a warm…

It’s been a while since Rambert Dance was the ‘Ballet Rambert’ but, these days, this wonderful company, probably nearer in style to the Northern School of Contemporary dance than it’s ever been, couldn’t be better placed to deliver its mind blowingly good Peaky Blinders The Redemption of Thomas Shelby. Quite simply, tu tu good!

Federico Bonelli is 100 days into his role as Northern Ballet's Artistic Director. He took time out of his busy schedule to chat with Group Editor Andrew Palmer, about his ambitious plans for the company.

Premier Dancer Javier Torres will retire from Northern Ballet this May, after 12 years with the Company. His final performance will be in the titular role of Kenneth Tindall’s Casanova at Sadlers Wells on Saturday 14 May, marking the end of his 22-year career as a professional ballet dancer.

Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Director Carlos Acosta promises entertainment for all ages when he brings an explosion of Spanish sunshine, spectacular dance and vivacious comedy to the Sunderland Empire. There are not that many ballet dancers from Newcastle.