Gentleman Jack
An exploration of the life of powerful Yorkshire woman Anne Lister, whose secret diaries revealed a truly exceptional life. 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.
Reviews:
The production benefits from another outstanding bespoke score by Peter Salem that is lyrical, descriptive, diverse, and thoroughly enjoyable. Salem has aided the choreography by adding motifs to emphasise each main character, so that Lister’s relationship with Lawton is underscored by soft trumpet playing and the later relationship with Walker is represented through the romantic lyricism of the piano. It is one of the best new scores for ballet that I can recall, and the small orchestra, conducted by Daniel Parkinson, did a great job.
The specially commissioned score by Peter Salem, combining folk music tropes with soaring electronic and symphonic themes, is hugely evocative, serving the dance perfectly.