The Great Gatsby at Norwich Theatre Royal

On Thursday 2nd May 2013 I attended the Northern Ballet's performance of The Great Gatsby at Norwich Theatre Royal. This production with choreography by David Nixon and music by Sir Richard Rodney Bennett CBE brought F Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel to the stage. We were taken to to the heady, indulgent days of New York's Long Island during the glamorous Twenties.

Nick Carraway comes to know his infamous neighbour Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire with a secret past and a penchant for lavish parties and beautiful women. As the sparkling facade of Gatsby’s world begins to slip, Carraway comes to see the loneliness, obsession and tragedy that lies beneath. This era was brought to the Norwich Theatre Royal stage by designers Tim Mitchell and Jérôme Kaplan.

The Northern Ballet are great at story ballets and this is one that they can be very proud of. The costume design was absolutely stunning and beautiful. The ballet score played by the Northern Ballet Sinfonia contained all four elements of Sir Richard Rodney Bennett's diverse expertise: his symphonic work, film music, jazz and popular song.

I very much enjoyed this stylish and wonderful performance of The Great Gatsby from the Northern Ballet at Norwich Theatre Royal. This was a classic story told by dance as the magic of the Twenties, full of the sound of Jazz gave us a night of memories to treasure.

Beauty and the Beast at Norwich Theatre Royal

A handsome Prince is transformed into a Beast as punishment for his ugly arrogance. Only true love can break the spell. A beautiful young woman is sent to live with the Beast though afraid at first she soon learns that she has nothing to fear except that the Beast longs for a love that she cannot return.

Beauty and the Beast is the stunning new production from David Nixon and the Northern Ballet. On Saturday 6th October 2012 I attended the matinee performance of this magical ballet which brings an enchanted world full fairies, sprites and goblins to the stage. The amazing score which included music from Saint-Saens, Bizet, Debussy, Poulenc and Glazunov was delightfully played by the Northern Ballet Sinfonia.

The dancers were dressed in haute couture style costumes which gave a wonderful look to this timeless fairytale. Fantastic performances from Pippa Moore as the Beauty, Tobias Batley as Prince Orian, Jessica Morgan as Chantelle, Michela Paolacci as Isabelle and Benjamin Mitchell as the Beast made this an afternoon to remember that proved that beauty is more than skin deep.

I Got Rhythm brings glitz to Norwich Theatre Royal

On Wednesday 30th May 2012 I was at Norwich Theatre Royal for the Northern Ballet's performance of David Nixon's I Got Rhythm. This was an evening of music, song and dance celebrating the wonderful music of George and Ira Gershwin.

The programme consisted of An American in Paris, The Man I Love, Three Preludes, I Got Rhythm, Embraceable You, Cuban Overture, Rhapsody in Blue, Summertime, My Man's Gone Now, I Got Plenty O'Nuttin, Bess You is My Woman and Girl Crazy.

With the Northern Ballet Sinfonia Orchestra on stage with the dancers this was truly a night of glitz and glamour at Norwich Theatre Royal as the Northern Ballet gave us a performance that was full of energy as Ballet met Jazz with brilliant results. I loved it that the Orchestra was on stage in big band style, which made for a spectacular experience. This was a fun production which was greatly enjoyed by the audience as we were treated to the sounds of the roaring twenties along with splendid dancing. I Got Rhythm, I Got Music. Who could ask for anything more.

Cleopatra Queen of the Nile

I made my way to Norwich Theatre Royal on Thursday evening to attend the Northern Ballet's performance of Cleopatra with great excitement. Created by David Nixon with music composed by Claude-Michel Schonberg the ballet is inspired by the Queen of the Nile.

The Ballet is a historical retelling of Cleopatra's life from her chanting to the God Wadjet who reveals a golden throne that is the throne of the Egyptian Pharaohs.

In Act 1 it is Cleopatra's wedding to Ptolemy. It is clear there will be no sharing of power and with the help of her handmaidens Cleopatra drowns Ptolemy while he bathes and sits on the throne alone. The Romans arrive in Egypt and Caesar embarks on a long Nile cruise with the Queen and ultimately the child Caesarion is born. Caesar returns to Rome with Cleopatra and Caesarion but in time the political situation changes and Caesar is killed and Cleopatra returns to Egypt.

In Act 11 The Romans return led by Mark Antony who cannot resist Cleopatra. Octavian and Mark Antony's wife Octavia watch his actions and Octavia is sent to Egypt to bring her husband but she returns home empty handed. Octavian rushes to Egypt with his army which leads to Mark Antony dying in Cleopatra's arms. In the final scene Cleopatra is face to face with Wadjet pulling a snake closer to herself but he pulls back. Unable to resist he plunges venom into her and as she dies the gods extend their arms and Cleopatra ascends to her destiny.

The Ballet had great choreography and is a visual triumph. I greatly enjoyed the music that gave a great atmosphere for the dancers to perform this epic story. Dramatic and stunning Cleopatra is a brilliant production that the Northern Ballet can be very proud of. It was splendid to be able to witness this all at Norwich Theatre Royal.