One of the U.K.’s finest ballet companies will astonish audiences with a performance at the Liverpool Playhouse this spring. Northern Ballet will perform the dramatic story of doomed love, Madame Butterfly, as well as the shorter and physically demanding piece, Perpetuum Mobile on the 29th and 30th May.
Northern Ballet tours throughout Britain and overseas. Known for its productions which mix classical dance and theatre with contemporary influences, Northern Ballet embraces popular culture and takes inspiration from literature and opera to give a unique interpretation of popular classical ballets.
Choreographed by Artistic Director David Nixon, Madame Butterfly is one of Northern Ballet’s most popular productions. Set in Japan, the doomed love affair between American Naval Lieutenant, Pinkerton and his young Japanese bride, Butterfly begins. Butterfly’s world falls apart after she is prepared to sacrifice everything but is betrayed as the ballet reaches a dramatic climax.
Recreated especially for the new tour, Madame Butterfly is a two-act ballet featuring new sets and is performed to the famous Puccini score played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia.
David Nixon said, “Madame Butterfly is a name that people recognise and the ballet uses the famous Puccini score. I chose it because it is one of the most popular pieces within the Northern Ballet repertoire and is a very dramatic narrative production which is where Northern Ballet specialises.”
Featuring in the same programme as Madame Butterfly; Perptuum Mobile, a 17-minute long piece to Bach’s Violin Concerto, will leave audiences breathless. Artistic Director of Scottish Ballet, Christopher Hampson choreographs this performance which showcases the incredible athletic and technical talent of Northern Ballet dancers.
Christopher Hampson said, “When I created this piece over 15 years ago, I was initially inspired by the Violin Concerto in E Major. I thought I knew it quite well but every time I played it I heard something new and still do today. I began the ballet by wanting to construct and layer movement to make a whole, like Bach does with his composition. The music never stops, even the slow middle movement has a pulse going through it that pushes the ear to anticipate the next development.”
Tickets for both evenings are available to purchase now from the Everyman/Playhouse Theatre Box offices, by telephone on 0151 7094776 or online at www.everymanplayhouse.com. Tickets are priced from £15 to £25.