NYB, The Old Man of Lochnagar, photo Ed Tyler

Joanna Lumley is a fitting host: she’s been patron and enthusiastic supporter of National Youth Ballet since 1989, and has narrated two of the company’s ballets.

She’ll be joined on stage by many returning National Youth Ballet alumni now dancing for companies including The Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures.

The National Youth Ballet involves youngsters aged eight to 18 in all aspects of making a ballet; many of its current 120 members will be take part in the gala, helping take the audience on a journey through the company’s 29-year history.

Among the pieces showcased will be The Old Man of Lochnagar, a ballet based on the children’s book by HRH The Prince of Wales, choreographed by Olivier Award winner and NYB alumnus Drew McOnie.

The Memorial Gala performance at Sadler’s Wells will also include new commissions and performances from returning alumni including choreographer Andrew McNicol, West End performer Lucinda Lawrence and Birmingham Royal Ballet first artist Ruth Brill.

All in all, it should be a moving and life-enhancing occasion, and an opportunity to see established artists and spot future talents, while paying homage to the woman who made so many careers possible.

Student tickets £10

by Georgina Butler

What	Dance Gala hosted by Joanna Lumley at Sadler's Wells
Where	Sadler's Wells, Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4TN \| MAP
Nearest tube	Angel (underground)
When	On 04 Sep 16, 19:30 end time TBC
Price	£30-£50
Website	Click here to book via the Sadler's Wells website

Jill Tookey

Jill Tookey founded the National Youth Ballet of Great Britain in 1988. It soon became a renowned children’s dance company and proved to be an important step towards a professional career for many of its eager young participants.

Many NYB works were produced on a shoestring, relying on just a handful of private trusts and donors.

Jill Tookey went on to develop the Beyond Ballet platform to nurture teenage choreographers and to found Outreach, a scheme which over the past decade has seen NYB alumni bring dance to schools in deprived areas.

Jill Tookey was awarded a CBE for services to dance in the New Year 2016 Honours List.

She died in March aged 79.