northern ballet's ugly duckling programme
DESCRIPTION
The official tour programme for Northern Ballet's new ballet created especially for children, Ugly Duckling.TRANSCRIPT
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uglyducklinga ballet for children
Tour programme 2012
Artistic DirectorDavid Nixon OBE
The Story
When the final egg cracks open out comes the fourth duckling, Ugly. She looks very different to the others: grey, fluffy and ragged. She doesn’t dance the same way as the other ducklings either!
The duckling family goes to the pond to swim. When the lifeguard sees Ugly he points to a sign that says ‘Ducks only’ and won’t let her join in with the others. Poor Ugly cries and runs away. If she is not a duck, what kind of animal is she?
As Ugly walks between the reeds she comes upon a pair of frogs who jump and dance in front of her. She thinks to herself “Perhaps I am a frog too” and tries to join in their fun, but she cannot leap as high as them nor move the way they do. The frogs grow bored and hop away.
Two black cats are basking in the sunshine. Ugly comes along and the cats curiously inspect her. They dance around her, nudging and poking her, until they are sure she is clearly not a cat like them. Disappointed Ugly is left alone again.
As night begins to fall Ugly curls up under a tree and falls fast asleep. Suddenly a beautiful Swan Queen appears and begins to dance in the moonlight. Ugly awakens and dances with her. Everything feels right. The Swan Queen vanishes and Ugly falls back to sleep.
The sun rises on a new day. A fox sneaks up behind Ugly, licking his chops and sniffing at her. When she turns around he bows graciously: the perfect gentleman. Ugly is charmed by the fox but every time she turns away he tries to eat her! The fox chases her back and forth until she traps him in the picnic blanket and he falls into the pond.
Ugly finds herself on her own once more. She is lonely and sad. Winter is coming. While a furious storm rages. something extraordinary happens – Ugly is transformed.
As winter melts away, little Ugly dances like a true ballerina. She has discovered she is not a duckling at all, but a beautiful swan. The frogs, a cat, a duckling and the Swan Queen come to dance with her until the time comes for her to join a flock of swans. Ugly and the Swan Queen say farewell and the other animals wave goodbye.
All photos by Martin Bell featuring dancers Giuliano Contadini, Isabella Gasparini, Ayana Kanda, Benjamin Mitchell and Teresa Saavedra-Bordes.
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On a bright sunny day three little ducklings hatch from their eggs. One more egg is still to open and the three yellow ducklings and their Mama wait with excitement.
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Dreda BlowDreda joined Northern Ballet in 2007. Born in Toronto, Canada, she trained at the National Ballet School of Canada and later at the Royal Conservatory, The Hague. Previous companies include Het Nationale Ballet, Amsterdam.
Sebastian LoeSebastian was born in London and trained at the Royal Ballet School. He joined Northern Ballet in 2004.
Choreography ProductionProduction
Ballet Master and MentorDaniel De Andrade
Lighting DesignAlastair West
Set DesignDave Gillan
Scenic ConstructionJonnie Mills
Scenic ArtistsDave Gillan and Angie Walters
Stage ManagerSteve Watling
ElectricianJoe Davis
Stage TechniciansJonnie Mills and Dave Gillan
Costume Supervisor and DyeingKim Brassley
Original Costume IdeasDreda BlowSebastian Loe
Costume Realisation and DesignJulie Anderson
Assistant Cutter and Tutu MakerCarley Marsh
Costume MakersJessica WoodFreya Crowley-BennettCarley MarshMikhaila PyeHelen RussellTrish BirchRebecca Dedman
Rehearsal Stage Managers / Prop MakersLily Amy, Brianna Bourne and Heidi Thornton
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Isabella Gasparini as Ugly and Giuliano Contadini as The Fox. Photo Martin Bell.
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DancersMusic
Isabella Gasparini / Jessica Cohen
Guiliano Contadini / Matthew Topliss
Jessica Morgan / Keiko Amemori
Benjamin Mitchell / Thomas Aragones
Teresa Saavedra-Bordes / Phoebe Higgins* or Charlotte Tonkinson*
Ayana Kanda / Olivia Holland
*Students of Northern Ballet Academy
1. Alexander Borodin Dance of the Polovtsian Maidens (from Prince Igor)2, 11, 12, 17, 18. Alexander Borodin Polovtsian Dances (from Prince Igor)3. John Longmire Turkey Trot4. Tony Lowry Screw on the Loose5. King Palmer Spindlelegs6. Trey Mitchel Poppin’ Around7. King Palmer Softly She Sleeps8. Charles Gounod Funeral March of a Marionette9. Sam Fonteyn Pizzicato Playtime10. Dick Stephen Walter A Day by the Sea13. Sidney Crooke March of the Ants14. Len Stephens Romantic Interlude15. Georges Delerue Jules et Jim – Main Title16. Camille Saint-Saëns The Aquarium(from Carnival of the Animals) 19. Cyril Walters Crepe Suzette
Musical Director and ArrangerJohn Longstaff
Flute/Piccolo Nick BhattacharjeeClarinet John MellorCello Martin CouzinPiano John Longstaff
Ayana Kanda, Teresa Saavadera-Bordes and Benjamin Mitchell as the Ducklings with Jessica Morgan (centre) as Mama Duck. Photo Martin Bell.
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Read more about all of our dancers at northernballet.com/sponsoradancer
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Join in with Northern Ballet
Ugly Duckling 2012/13 tour
Northern Ballet’s Ugly Duckling is our first Short Ballet for Small People. We are creating a series of three ballets especially for children and we will perform these at home and on tour over the next three years. We’re looking for ideas for our next ballet. What story would you like to see us tell? If you would like to make a suggestion visit our website northernballet.com/duckling and you could win tickets to see The Nutcracker at Leeds Grand Theatre in December.
There are lots of ways to join in with Northern Ballet. We offer classes and courses in dance and movement for people of all ages and abilities. Find out more about what we do and how you can take part by visiting us at northernballet.com/joinin
2012 in LeedsSat 20 OctoberYeadon Town Hall3pm & 4.30pm
Sun 21 OctoberThe Hunslet Club2.30pm & 4pm
Sat 27 OctoberThe Riley Theatre, Chapeltown2.30pm & 4pm
Mon 29 October – Fri 2 NovemberStanley & Audrey Burton Theatre, City Centre11am, 1pm & 3pm(no 3pm perf on Thu 1 Nov)
Book for the Leeds dates now by calling 0113 220 8008 or go online at northernballet.com/duckling
Thu 28 March Leicester Curve12pm, 2pm & 4pm 0116 242 3595
Thu 4 April Barrow in Furness The Forum1pm & 3.30pm 01229 820 000
Fri 5 April Lancaster The Dukes Theatre2pm & 4pm 01524 598 500
Sat 6 April Harrogate Theatre12pm, 2pm & 4pm 01423 502 116
Tue 9 April Barnsley Civic12pm, 2pm & 4pm 01226 327 000
Wed 10 April Hull Truck Theatre12pm, 2pm & 4pm 01482 323 638
Sat 13 April Goole The Junction2pm & 6.30pm 01405 763 652
Fri 19 April Milton Keynes Theatre11am & 1pm 0844 871 7652
Fri 3 MayNorwich Theatre Royal11am & 1pm 01603 630 000
Fri 17 May London Sadler’s Wells11am & 1pm 0844 412 4300
2013Tue 12 MarchMiddlesbrough Theatre1pm & 5pm 01642 815 181
Wed 13 MarchHexham Queen’s Hall12pm, 2pm & 4pm 01434 652 477
Fri 15 March Liverpool Everyman Theatre11.30am & 1.30pm 0151 709 4776
Sat 16 March Huddersfield Lawrence Batley Theatre 12pm, 2.15pm & 4pm 01484 430 528
Tue 19 March Newcastle Dance City11.30am & 1.30pm 0191 261 0505
Wed 20 MarchBradford Kala Sangam1.30pm & 6pm 01274 303 340
Fri 22 March Whitby Pavilion Theatre 12pm, 2.15pm & 4pm 01947 604 855
Sat 23 MarchBerwick The Maltings2pm 01289 330 999
Tue 26 MarchBlackpool Grand Theatre12pm, 2pm & 4pm 01253 290 190