Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre: Season of Dance

The Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre is set to reopen for the first time since March 2020 with a spectacular new season of dance.

The season’s line-up includes DeNada Dance Theatre, Northern Ballet, Ballet Cymru and Humanoove, alongside free performances happening as part of Light Night Leeds 2021.

A spectacular new season of dance.

The programme also sees an exciting collaboration between Seeta Patel Dance and Leeds-based South Asian Arts-UK. And to close the season, the critically-acclaimed pianist Alexandra Dariescu will take to the stage for the groundbreaking multi-media production of The Nutcracker and I .

DeNada Dance Theatre return to Leeds on 12 October with Mariposa, a transgender adaptation of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly. Set in post-revolution Cuba, this intense dance-drama passionately explores what we are ready to sacrifice in order to be accepted and loved.

On 14 and 15 October, as part of Light Night Leeds, dance artists from Fubunation will perform the world première of Mutation Space. Using live-motion sensor technology, this free visual performance will combine dynamic physicality and large-scale projections to examine the human impact on our environment and health.

Families are in for a treat when Northern Ballet bring the world première of their children’s ballet to the theatre. Just in time for the half-term holidays, the charming tale of Pinocchio, featuring live music, will play from 26 – 30 October, before returning again from 7 – 11 December.

On 04 November 2021, Welsh dance company Ballet Cymru bring a new ballet based on the well-known story Giselle. With a new score by acclaimed composer and harpist Catrin Finch, we can’t wait to see Ballet Cymru put their own unique twist on this beautiful and romantic tale of love and loss.

Return to a local theatre and experience something new.

For one night only on 10 November, Seeta Patel Dance will reimagine the iconic ballet, The Rite of Spring in the powerful Indian dance style, Bharatanatyam. Set to Stravinsky’s celebrated musical score, the performance will showcase some of the finest Indian classical dance talent as well as opening with a short piece from Leeds’ very own South Asian Arts-uk.

International dance artist Didy Veldman and her company Humanoove return to Leeds on 17 November with a brand-new dance work, @ HOME. And the thrilling season of dance closes with a family-friendly multi-media show, The Nutcracker and I on the 22 and 23 December. Using digital projections, one pianist and one ballerina bring this beloved festive story to life. Created and performed by critically-acclaimed pianist Alexandra Dariescu, The Nutcracker and I features Tchaikovsky’s beloved music as well as choreography by Jenna Lee (Northern Ballet’s Puss in Boots). A perfect Christmas warmer for all ages.

Offering a high-quality and varied programme of dance, we think that this new season at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre offers the perfect opportunity to return to a local theatre and experience something new.