Northern Ballet Brings Lesbian Love To Stage In “Gentleman Jack” – On Tour In UK
New ballet creation brings the pas de deux to the story of the 19th century landowner Anne Lister, also known as Gentleman Jack.
Featured Image: courtesy of Northern Ballet
In a landmark production, regarded as possibly the first time a major ballet has partnered women romantically together, the Northern Ballet and Finnish National Opera and Ballet have teamed up to bring a stylish and erotically-charged show to the stage. From Leeds, England the tour of Gentleman Jack is officially underway. The story, as celebrated by the company:
“A powerful Yorkshire woman, it was only after her death when her secret diaries were decoded that a truly exceptional life was uncovered. Described by some as the ‘first modern lesbian,’ Anne lived, dressed and loved as she desired, not as 19th century society expected her to. With her words dancing across the page, she vividly chronicled her adventures, heartbreaks and triumphs.”
Gentleman Jack | Trailer via YouTube
Bringing narrative to motion is choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, who is known for her edge and wide-ranging body of work. Pointe Magazine showed us what was on her mind with Gentleman Jack: “Apart from her being queer, Anne demonstrates that there are lots of types of women. She was an entrepreneur who, thanks to her intellect, quick thinking, and wit, found a way to do business in a man’s world,” Lopez Ochoa told Pointe. “She traveled, studied anatomy, and climbed mountains. This unfazedness about living life the way she wanted really resonated with me. The dancer who plays Anne has one last look at the audience at the end of the ballet. I’ve told her to say to herself in her mind, “I always get what I want.” It’s a mantra I’d like to have every day.”
Lopez Ochoa’s artistry has been noted with praise across the review space. Lyndsey Winship with The Guardian writes:
“There’s an erotically charged pas de deux on a dining table with her great love Mariana (Saeka Shirai). It’s not X-rated but has real heat and tenderness and desire. Lister holds up the bell she uses for bossing her staff around and weaves it around Mariana’s body without touching her: Mariana shivers. She brushes it down Mariana’s spine. This is some of the sexiest choreography I’ve seen in a while.”
New York Times dance critic Laura Cappelle got a taste of the show at rehearsal, noting dancers “flying through closely entangled lifts and turns.”
“Lopez Ochoa offers an intimate, in-depth look at Lister’s relationships with two of her long-term lovers: Mariana Lawton, who has chosen to be married to a man over staying with her, and Ann Walker, a local heiress whom she “marries” in a secret, symbolic ceremony,” she writes.
Image: Gemma Coutts and Rachael Gillespie in rehearsal. Photo by Colleen Mair, courtesy Northern Ballet
It’s no secret that ballet has historically been based on heterosexual tales. Bringing Lister’s story to the stage is next-level – planting slippers and pointe shoes on new ground.
The Northern Ballet production of Anne Lister’s story is an adaptation of the 2019 television series (HBO/BBC), set in 1832 West Yorkshire, England. The show saw two seasons before cancellation, but can be viewed on HBO Max. Thankfully, swagger and romance have remained intact from screen to stage.
Gentleman Jack sports a top hat and leather and knows a thing or two about storming a stage to rip a bodice. Louise Flanagan is on record for approaching the costume design with an eye toward balancing historical detail from the 1830s with contemporary elements, and thinking about how best to accentuate movement while retaining the historical vibe. The big sleeves and bell-shaped skirts were reduced to allow not only for more fluidity, but for seeing “a bit more of the sensuality between characters that we want to see on stage.” Thus layers were removed, skirts were shortened, and in general “some of the fuss” was diminished, per her comments on video for Northern Ballet.
The creative team includes composer Peter Salem who brings an original score to the show. He is also known for his work on Call the Midwife. Philadelphia-based designer and filmmaker Christopher Ash is behind Lighting and Set Design.
Gentleman Jack held its world premiere at the Leeds Grand Theatre on March 7, and has kicked off its six-theater tour across the UK. Next stop: Sheffield Lyceum Theatre beginning March 31, with performances scheduled through Sept. 3 at venues that include Nottingham Theatre Royal, and London Sadler’s Wells.
