As a professional dance photographer it is great to receive commissions from the best companies in the world, and Northern Ballet is right up there amongst the big names in dance. So, on September 7th this year when I was commissioned by the Company to photograph their new production of Ondine, at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds, I was very much looking forward to the experience. The company looked absolutely stunning in this extremely visual classical ballet production. However, with the opening night Brand, Tobias Batley, suffering from injury it meant a change of cast. Javier Torres, a former principal with the Cuban National Ballet, stepped into the role of Brand and Hannah Bateman into the role of Ondine. Both were truly remarkable and it was the best I have seen Hannah Bateman dance. As you will see in the images below, the role suited her to a tee, with credit going to the company’s director, David Nixon OBE, for his vision in seeing her play this role. Praise must go to two other dancers, Dreda Blow, who played the role Beatrice, and Kevin Peoung, both of whom delivered exceptional performances.
Please find below a selection of my favourite images from the dress rehearsal of the dance theatre production of Northern Ballet’s Ondine.
