Northern Ballet's upcoming production of Gentleman Jack, the latest adaptation of Sally Wainwright's hit TV series, is set to bring an audacious lesbian landowner to life on stage in a bold new way. The ballet, which has been years in the making, promises to be a game-changer for the traditionally male-dominated art form.
Choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, who had never heard of Lister before being approached with the project, is now eager to share her vision of the strong-willed woman's story. "She's a force," Lopez Ochoa says of Lister, praising her intelligence and unapologetic nature.
In a bold move, the dancers playing Lister and her love interests will be women, who will bring a fresh perspective to the traditional ballet form. The production is aiming to avoid clichés, including acrobatic splits often seen in passionate duets, opting instead for a more sinuous and curvier approach.
The lack of pointe shoes will also provide an opportunity for the dancers to move with greater freedom, partnering each other in ways that are not typically seen in ballet. However, it's not just about physicality – the production is also focused on capturing the emotional intensity of Lister's story.
Lopez Ochoa knows all too well what it's like to be a woman in a male-dominated field, having been labeled as a "tomboy" in her childhood and later finding success through her own hard work and determination. Her own journey is reflected in the ballet, which promises to be a powerful exploration of love, identity, and acceptance.
The production has already sparked hope for those who may not feel seen or represented on stage. For Lopez Ochoa, it's personal – she says one of her dancers broke down in tears when they told her about the impact the TV series had on their own life story.
As the production nears its premiere, it's clear that Northern Ballet is pushing the boundaries of what ballet can be. With its bold new approach and fearless attitude, Gentleman Jack promises to be a game-changer for audiences and dancers alike.
Choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, who had never heard of Lister before being approached with the project, is now eager to share her vision of the strong-willed woman's story. "She's a force," Lopez Ochoa says of Lister, praising her intelligence and unapologetic nature.
In a bold move, the dancers playing Lister and her love interests will be women, who will bring a fresh perspective to the traditional ballet form. The production is aiming to avoid clichés, including acrobatic splits often seen in passionate duets, opting instead for a more sinuous and curvier approach.
The lack of pointe shoes will also provide an opportunity for the dancers to move with greater freedom, partnering each other in ways that are not typically seen in ballet. However, it's not just about physicality – the production is also focused on capturing the emotional intensity of Lister's story.
Lopez Ochoa knows all too well what it's like to be a woman in a male-dominated field, having been labeled as a "tomboy" in her childhood and later finding success through her own hard work and determination. Her own journey is reflected in the ballet, which promises to be a powerful exploration of love, identity, and acceptance.
The production has already sparked hope for those who may not feel seen or represented on stage. For Lopez Ochoa, it's personal – she says one of her dancers broke down in tears when they told her about the impact the TV series had on their own life story.
As the production nears its premiere, it's clear that Northern Ballet is pushing the boundaries of what ballet can be. With its bold new approach and fearless attitude, Gentleman Jack promises to be a game-changer for audiences and dancers alike.
I'm so excited about this new production! It's awesome that they're breaking away from traditional ballet norms and giving us a fresh perspective on the story of Anne Lister. I love that the dancers are women, it's going to be so inspiring to see them bring their own energy to the roles 
. And I have to say, ditching pointe shoes is a genius move - I've seen those splits in ballets and they always seem so...performed 
. This production is all about capturing the emotional intensity of Lister's story, which I think is going to be super powerful 
. As someone who's passionate about mindfulness and self-care, I'm drawn to the idea of exploring themes of love, identity, and acceptance on stage. It's going to be a wild ride, but I'm all in! 
like, hello, it's about time someone gave us more women on stage but do we really need to get rid of pointe shoes? isn't that just part of the beauty of ballet? and what's with this emphasis on "capturing emotional intensity"? can't they just tell a good story without all the fuss? 
anyway, i'm excited to see how this production turns out - more diversity is always welcome in the arts 
I'm so hyped about this upcoming ballet production! It's amazing how they're shaking things up by having all female leads and ditching the pointe shoes. It's like, finally, we're getting to see more diverse representation on stage 
. And it's personal for me because I've seen firsthand how powerful stories about women can be, especially when they're not always centered in traditional ballets. Annabelle Lopez Ochoa is a total icon for pushing boundaries and creating something so bold and fresh. Can't wait to see this production come to life on stage! 
. And I love how they're avoiding those super cliché acrobatic splits in favor of a more fluid and sinuous movement style - it's like, so much more expressive and emotional 
. It's going to be such an empowering experience for audiences and I can already imagine how amazing the dancers are going to look in their outfits 
. Bring it on!
. And the fact they're focusing on emotional intensity over physicality is a breath of fresh air 
. Can't wait to see this powerful exploration of love, identity, and acceptance come alive on stage 
, but with women taking center stage it's gonna be a whole new vibe 
, gotta love that she's putting her own experiences into the choreography 
. and i love how they're avoiding clichés and going for a more fluid, emotional approach - its gonna be so refreshing to see! 
the lack of pointe shoes will add such a cool dimension to the dancing, and pairing women as lead dancers will bring an entirely new energy to the stage 
this is gonna be EPIC 
This Gentleman Jack production sounds like a total game-changer! I love how they're shaking things up with all-female casts and ditching pointe shoes for more freedom of movement 
It's about time ballet caught up with the rest of us and stopped being so traditional 
The fact that Annabelle Lopez Ochoa is bringing her own experiences as a woman in a male-dominated field to the table makes this production even more special 
. I love how Annabelle Lopez Ochoa is pouring her heart into this production and making it personal. It's about time we see more stories like Lister's on stage, you feel me? 
! No pointe shoes? Game changer right there 
and can we talk about how refreshing it is to not have some dude playing her love interest? 
The lack of clichés is going to make this production so much more nuanced and interesting. I'm already imagining the emotional intensity of Lister's story being brought to life on stage... bring on the tears! 
. And Annabelle Lopez Ochoa is literally breaking barriers with her choreography - no pointe shoes = more freedom of movement for the dancers 
), it's about telling a true story with heart and honesty 
cant wait to see how annabelle lopez ochoa brings gentleman jack's story to life, its clear she's passionate about it and wants to make sure everyones feelings are represented 