Two ballet dancers pose against a teal background. One, dressed in pink, bends backwards gracefully, while the other channels Gentleman Jack in black attire with a top hat and cane. Artistic symbols and swirls surround them.

Two ballet dancers pose against a blue backdrop. One, in pink, leans back en pointe with arms outstretched, while the other channels Gentleman Jack in black attire with a top hat and cane. Swirling text-like graphics appear behind them.

Go to slide 2

Two ballet dancers lean in to touch lips while balancing on a table, one in dark green trousers and a sleeveless black top, the other in an orange dress en pointe

Two ballet dancers lean in to touch lips while balancing on a table, one in dark green trousers and a sleeveless black top, the other in an orange dress en pointe

Northern Ballet

Gentleman Jack

Thu 1 - Sat 3 Apr 2027

Venue: Festival Theatre

Masters of storytelling Northern Ballet bring to the stage the extraordinary story of Anne Lister - better known as Gentleman Jack.

A powerful Yorkshire woman, it was only after her death when her secret diaries were decoded that a truly exceptional life was uncovered.

Anne lived, dressed and loved as she desired, not as 19th century society expected her to. With her words dancing across the pages, she vividly chronicled her adventures, heartbreaks and triumphs with striking honesty and wit.

Inspiring biographies, novels, a hit TV series and now a ballet, Anne’s story leaps from page to stage in this thrilling new production choreographed by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and performed to new live music by Peter Salem.

Gentleman Jack is a co-production with Finnish National Opera and Ballet.

"Innovative, inventive, tender...an absolute must-see"
The Yorkshire Post
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"A sensuous ballet salutes the first modern lesbian"
The Times
★ ★ ★ ★

"An accessible, stylish production that puts love between women centre stage"
The Guardian
★ ★ ★ ★

"A sexy delight"
The Telegraph
★ ★ ★ ★

Watch the trailer

Two ballet dancers perform on stage. The woman, in a shiny orange dress and matching hat, balances gracefully as the other supports her amid grand columns and a scenic backdrop.

A group of ballet dancers performs on stage, with one central figure in dark attire, evoking a Gentleman Jack style, holding a hat. The other dancers, in flowing dresses, are poised mid-spin against gold curtains and elegant decorative panels.

Hear what audiences thought of the show

Four people in formal period costumes stand on a stage with a blue backdrop. One person kneels whilst holding a large scroll, as another points towards it

So, who was Anne Lister?

Four ballet dancers perform on stage; two men in suits restrain two women in blue dresses reaching towards each other.

Seven dancers stand closely together in a line, five in grey bodysuits with black patterns and two in dark suits.

Two ballet dancers perform on stage in front of a table and a bookcase. The dancer on the left wears a rust-coloured dress, while the other dons dark trousers and a sleeveless top.

Six dancers stand in a circle on stage, each holding a stick raised and touching at the centre, dressed in Gentleman Jack-inspired braces, trousers, and caps, with dramatic spotlighting against a dark background.

Six dancers in military-style outfits hold poles above their heads beside a wooden structure with light bulbs, whilst a seventh dancer in a suit and bowler hat extends one leg in a high kick

A ballet dancer extends one leg high while supporting another dancer lying flat on her back on a large table, with bookshelves, dark curtains, and a touch of Gentleman Jack ambience in the background.

A group of ballet dancers in flowing dresses performs on stage. One dancer extends her leg high whilst others stand behind her. A Gentleman Jack figure in dark clothing and a top hat holds a cane, facing the group.

Two ballet dancers in leotards perform an expressive pose on a round platform, set against tall bookshelves filled with books

A group of ballet dancers in matching bodysuits with black lettering stand close together on stage, while two dancers in the centre wear light blue tulle costumes and pose together under a spotlight.

A person in a black coat and top hat stands centre stage holding a cane, evoking the sophistication of Gentleman Jack, while six performers in sheer tops and helmets pose around them, each holding a stick in a dynamic formation.

Six dancers perform on stage, five reaching towards one lifted dancer at the centre.

Two ballet dancers lean in to touch lips while balancing on a table, one in dark green trousers and a sleeveless black top, the other in an orange dress en pointe

Two ballet dancers perform onstage; one sits on a bench leaning forward while the other balances en pointe in a blue dress, extending her leg high behind her

Two ballet dancers perform on stage beside a large table and a tall bookcase filled with books. One dancer, in a brown skirt en pointe, while the other in dark trousers bends down

Two dancers in formal attire pose with wooden sticks atop a table, channelling a Gentleman Jack vibe.

A group of dancers in matching light-coloured bodysuits with black writing and black gloves stand behind two performers in Gentleman Jack-inspired blue costumes and veils, all with their arms raised on a dimly lit stage.

Three dancers perform identical arabesque poses in front of three tall, illuminated rectangular structures with script-like patterns

A group of ballet dancers in beige costumes with black markings lift a smiling dancer in a blue dress and blue sleeves on stage, set before two large bookcases

A group of ballet dancers performs onstage; two male dancers lift a female dancer high with her legs extended.

Watch the trailer

Two ballet dancers perform on stage. The woman, in a shiny orange dress and matching hat, balances gracefully as the other supports her amid grand columns and a scenic backdrop.

A group of ballet dancers performs on stage, with one central figure in dark attire, evoking a Gentleman Jack style, holding a hat. The other dancers, in flowing dresses, are poised mid-spin against gold curtains and elegant decorative panels.

Hear what audiences thought of the show

Four people in formal period costumes stand on a stage with a blue backdrop. One person kneels whilst holding a large scroll, as another points towards it

So, who was Anne Lister?

Four ballet dancers perform on stage; two men in suits restrain two women in blue dresses reaching towards each other.

Seven dancers stand closely together in a line, five in grey bodysuits with black patterns and two in dark suits.

Two ballet dancers perform on stage in front of a table and a bookcase. The dancer on the left wears a rust-coloured dress, while the other dons dark trousers and a sleeveless top.

Six dancers stand in a circle on stage, each holding a stick raised and touching at the centre, dressed in Gentleman Jack-inspired braces, trousers, and caps, with dramatic spotlighting against a dark background.

Six dancers in military-style outfits hold poles above their heads beside a wooden structure with light bulbs, whilst a seventh dancer in a suit and bowler hat extends one leg in a high kick

A ballet dancer extends one leg high while supporting another dancer lying flat on her back on a large table, with bookshelves, dark curtains, and a touch of Gentleman Jack ambience in the background.

A group of ballet dancers in flowing dresses performs on stage. One dancer extends her leg high whilst others stand behind her. A Gentleman Jack figure in dark clothing and a top hat holds a cane, facing the group.

Two ballet dancers in leotards perform an expressive pose on a round platform, set against tall bookshelves filled with books

A group of ballet dancers in matching bodysuits with black lettering stand close together on stage, while two dancers in the centre wear light blue tulle costumes and pose together under a spotlight.

A person in a black coat and top hat stands centre stage holding a cane, evoking the sophistication of Gentleman Jack, while six performers in sheer tops and helmets pose around them, each holding a stick in a dynamic formation.

Six dancers perform on stage, five reaching towards one lifted dancer at the centre.

Two ballet dancers lean in to touch lips while balancing on a table, one in dark green trousers and a sleeveless black top, the other in an orange dress en pointe

Two ballet dancers perform onstage; one sits on a bench leaning forward while the other balances en pointe in a blue dress, extending her leg high behind her

Two ballet dancers perform on stage beside a large table and a tall bookcase filled with books. One dancer, in a brown skirt en pointe, while the other in dark trousers bends down

Two dancers in formal attire pose with wooden sticks atop a table, channelling a Gentleman Jack vibe.

A group of dancers in matching light-coloured bodysuits with black writing and black gloves stand behind two performers in Gentleman Jack-inspired blue costumes and veils, all with their arms raised on a dimly lit stage.

Three dancers perform identical arabesque poses in front of three tall, illuminated rectangular structures with script-like patterns

A group of ballet dancers in beige costumes with black markings lift a smiling dancer in a blue dress and blue sleeves on stage, set before two large bookcases

A group of ballet dancers performs onstage; two male dancers lift a female dancer high with her legs extended.

Annabelle Lopez Ochoa

Choreographer

Peter Salem

Composer

Clare Croft

Dramaturg

Christopher Ash

Lighting and Set Designer

Louise Flanagan

Costume Designer

Sally Wainwright

Creative Consultant

Performance details

Show times: Evenings; 7.30pm; Matinee; 2.30pm
Running time: 1 hour 45 mins incl. 20 min interval
Age suitability: 12+
Additional information: Adult themes. Haze throughout.

Discounts

Friends 20% off
Read more about the Friends discount

Concessions £3 off

Accessibility information

Audio described performance Fri 2 April, 7.30pm
Touch tours Begins 90 minutes before the Audio Described performance listed above.

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