The Architect / Mixed Programme: Northern Ballet, Linbury Studio

In works by choreographers at all stages of their careers, this Northern Ballet mixed programme will show off the extraordinary talents of some of Britain’s best dance actors. The abstract or lightly narrative pieces from Kenneth Tindall, Christopher Hampson, Demis Volpi and Jonathan Watkins will be an interesting platform for the infusion of drama and character this company does so well.
Kenneth Tindall: Northern Ballet rising star
The big ticket of the evening is Kenneth Tindall’s The Architect (2014), inspired by the archetypes of Adam and Eve. A rising choreographic star, and premier dancer with the company, Tindall is still developing his style, but already showing signs of a big imagination. His steps dispense with intricacy for big circles and squares, careful patterns and brave lifts. Apples feature heavily in The Architect, passed between the teeth of the dancers and hanging tantalisingly above their heads. All moves under Christopher Giles’ plant-like white columns, to an eclectic score including Olafur Arnalds and Batanescu Quartet.
The Mixed Programme
To Bach’s Violin Concerto in E Major, Christopher Hampson’s Perpetuum Mobile will be a neater, more classical affair. Now Artistic Director of Scottish Ballet, Christpher Hampson created the piece almost two decades ago for English National Ballet where he was a dancer - the first professional commission in a career that has seen him create for Ballet Black, Royal New Zealand Ballet and London’s own Royal Ballet.
The short pas de deux Little Monsters comes from Argentinian choreographer Demis Volpi, currently Resident Choreographer at Stuttgart Ballet. Londondance called the prize-winning piece ‘an enticing, clever little work’.
Last is a new piece by Jonathan Watkins, choreographer formerly a dancer with the Royal Ballet, who has gone on to lead ambitious dance projects in the north of England. He’ll be introducing his brand new, full-length adaptation of 1984 for Northern Ballet later this year.

Find more of our recommendations for the London ballet tickets to book this season here.