Exactly a decade ago the National Theatre screened the first NT Live broadcast, a way for people around the country to gather in a cinema and watch what was on stage in London. The idea was that the theatre was producing work of such high quality – the first play to be screened in such a way was Phedre starring Helen Mirren and Dominic Cooper – that it felt right that more people than those who could afford to travel to London for it, should be able to see the performance.
That next week sees Leeds- based Northern Ballet screen its work live into UK cinemas for the first time, is a significant moment. It’s a manifestation of the confidence the company deservedly currently has. It is a confidence it will take into what will be its 50th anniversary celebrations next year.
The ballet that will represent Northern Ballet on the screens of UK cinemas will be Dracula, opening at Leeds Playhouse next week. It is the first full production that will appear on the stage of the newly refurbished Quarry Theatre following the multi-million pound facelift of the whole building.
First show on the Quarry stage, first time Northern Ballet has been screened to cinemas across the UK and Ireland: the opening of this show is a big moment for theatre in Yorkshire.
Source: Northern Ballet’s Dracula opens Leeds Playhouse’s newly refurbished Quarry Theatre – Yorkshire Post