Northern Ballet Bring Gentleman Jack to the Stage

Northern Ballet is set to present the world premiere of Gentleman Jack, a new full-length production chronicling the life of the 19th-century Yorkshire icon Anne Lister. Often described as the first modern lesbian, Lister lived an independent life as a businesswoman and landowner, documenting her experiences and relationships in a series of decoded diaries. The ballet marks Northern Ballet’s first large-scale commission since 2021 and is the first under Artistic Director Federico Bonelli.

The production features a majority female artistic team, including choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and choreography consultant Jemima Brown. Collaborating with dramaturg Clare Croft and series-writer Sally Wainwright, the creative team has developed a narrative that explores Lister’s defiance of societal norms and her complex romantic life. The performance will be accompanied by a new live score composed by Peter Salem, with costume and set designs that blend period accuracy with contemporary influences.

“International recognition”

Ahead of performances in Yorkshire, this production arrives with significant international recognition, having received the Fedora – Van Cleef & Arpels Dance Prize 2025. Following its opening in Leeds, the tour will visit Sheffield and Bradford, offering audiences across the region an opportunity to see Lister’s story translated through the medium of dance.

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).

Continuing Northern Ballet’s masterful canon of creating stories that connect, this groundbreaking ballet will bring to the stage the life of the 19th century icon, Anne Lister. Yorkshirewoman Anne, described by some as the “first modern lesbian”, lived, dressed and loved as she desired, not as 19th century society expected her to. Her diaries were discovered and decoded after her death, revealing a bold, passionate, independent, well-travelled businesswoman who defied societal norms and loved as fiercely as she lived.

Her story has inspired biographies, novels and a hit TV series, and this – Northern Ballet’s first large-scale commission since 2021 and the first under Artistic Director Federico Bonelli – is the only production to bring it to life through the powerful medium of dance. Choreographed by the multi-award-winning Annabelle Lopez Ochoa with Dance Artist and singer/songwriter Jemima Brown (Choreography Consultant) as part of a majority female artistic team that also includes Sally Wainwright (series-writer of the BBC/HBO TV series Gentleman Jack), the ballet will be performed to new, live music composed by Peter Salem.

“Blown away”

Northern Ballet’s Artistic Director, Federico Bonelli said: “Since we announced Gentleman Jack, we have been blown away by the intense anticipation shown for this new ballet. Creating something entirely new is always exhilarating and this time we have the added excitement of creating a portrait of a real person through the choreography and storytelling, it’s a real honour for the whole creative team.

“Annabelle has done an incredible job to really push the boundaries of classical ballet – to communicate the passion between Anne Lister and two of her great loves, Ann Walker and Mariana Lawton, through dance. It’s everything that Northern Ballet represents – a story rooted in the North, but which will resonate with audiences all over the country as both timeless and contemporary.

“Anne was a complex character, her inimitable life and revolutionary attitude towards sexuality and her viewpoint on class and politics is something we are dedicated to representing on the stage and we look forward to sharing our interpretation of this legendary woman with audiences.”

Annabelle has worked closely alongside dramaturg, Clare Croft – a dance theorist and historian – to create a story which brings to life on stage an Anne Lister borne of history but seen through a modern lens. The production draws on elements of Anne’s adult life as depicted in her own journal, following her experience as she defies conventions of the times as both a female landowner and businesswoman whilst navigating the complexities of queer love and societal expectations. This includes her passionate and often painful love affairs with women including Mariana Lawton – thought to be the true love of her life – to finding a life partner in Ann Walker, a relationship cemented in what’s thought to be Britain’s first recorded lesbian wedding.

The ballet features set and lighting design by Christopher Ash and costumes by Louise Flanagan, who has drawn on inspiration from the 1830s as well as lesbian and queer dress in modern fashion to create a contemporary feel to the period dress. Gentleman Jack was awarded the Fedora – Van Cleef & Arpels Dance Prize 2025; the prize recognises productions that reimagine dance for the 21st century, rethinking how ballets are created and who they are created for.

Director of Fedora Edilia Gänz said: “At Fedora, we are committed to supporting new creations that reimagine dance for today’s audiences. We are delighted to accompany Northern Ballet in the development Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Gentleman Jack, an ambitious new work of great artistic vision. We look forward with excitement to its world premiere in Leeds.”

Alongside the creation of Gentleman Jack, Northern Ballet’s Learning Team will launch a comprehensive schools education program, exploring themes of identity, allyship and compassion, drawing inspiration from Scottish Ballet’s Safe to Be Me program. By supporting young people to challenge prejudice, celebrate diversity and express themselves, Northern Ballet hopes to make a lasting impact.

Interview:

Gemma Coutts – playing Anne Lister (19th century icon and Yorkshirewoman, described by some as the “first modern lesbian”, lived, dressed and loved as she desired, not as society expected her to). 

Tell us a bit about your dance journey, how long have you been dancing with Northern Ballet?
I grew up in Thailand, where I attended my first ballet school. At the age of 16, I joined the English National Ballet School and graduated in 2021. After this, I joined Northern Ballet where I am now in my fifth season with the company.

Were you aware of Anne Lister/Gentleman Jack before being invited to create the ballet? What stuck you most about her story?
No, I was not aware of Anne Lister or her story prior to the ballet. Having learned more, Anne’s confidence and the social impact of her actions really stood out to me.

How have you found the process of working with Annabelle Lopez Ochoa (choreographer) to create the ballet and originate this role?
I have really enjoyed working with Annabelle. She is a passionate woman who knows what she wants. This means that we work quickly and with purpose, which suits my style and has allowed us to really dive into the roles.

How would you describe this ballet in three words?
Challenging. Evocative. Powerful.  

What are you most looking forward to about performing – do you have a favourite place to visit?
I am looking forward to performing in London as my family are coming to watch all the way from Indonesia. I always enjoy my time in London as I get to see many friends from my English National Ballet School days.

Gentleman Jack is a co-production of Northern Ballet and Finnish National Opera and Ballet. Tickets are now on sale, visit northernballet.com to find out more and book. Each venue will offer an audio-described performance to improve accessibility for those with visual impairments.