Northern Ballet's Gentleman Jack: A Stylish Lesbian Love Story Takes Centre Stage
Northern Ballet's new production, Gentleman Jack, is making waves at Leeds Grand theatre with its bold portrayal of a lesbian love story. This ballet, based on the life of 19th-century Yorkshire landowner Anne Lister, known as Gentleman Jack, is both progressive and conventional in its approach.
Progressive Themes Meet Classical Form
Progressive because this could be the first major ballet to centre on a lesbian love story, putting the romance between two women, and ultimately three, firmly in the spotlight. Conventional because choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa maintains a tight grip on narrative and leverages classical ballet techniques, such as long arabesques and fluid motion, to create an accessible and stylish production.
Gemma Coutts stars as Anne Lister, donning a top hat, frock coat, and flat ballet shoes. Her performance is strong and straightforward, with a cocky motif—a flick of the hip and leg—that exudes self-confidence. She commands the stage, rapping her cane on the floor to make men fall in line, yet also reveals a tender romantic side.
Erotic and Tender Choreography
The erotically charged pas de deux between Lister and her great love, Mariana, played by Saeka Shirai, is a highlight. Set on a dining table, this scene is not X-rated but brims with real heat, tenderness, and desire. In a particularly intimate moment, Lister uses a bell, typically for bossing staff, to weave around Mariana's body without touching her, causing Mariana to shiver as it brushes down her spine. This is some of the sexiest choreography seen in recent ballet.
When Mariana succumbs to societal pressure and marries a man, Lister's heartbreak is portrayed with muted emotion, though this scene doesn't fully land, partly due to Peter Salem's dirge-like music. In contrast, the rhythmic score elsewhere matches the clarity, momentum, and drama of the movement perfectly.
Vivid Character Portrayals
As Lister flirts with another woman, Ann Walker, dancer Rachael Gillespie vividly captures Walker's surprise, delight, and excited apprehension. Similarly, Saeka Shirai effectively conveys Mariana's heart-dropping jealousy upon seeing the new couple together, adding depth to the emotional narrative.
Stark Aesthetics and Clever Design
The look and tone of Gentleman Jack are fairly stark, yet infused with wit. Lopez Ochoa has developed a clear, sharp-angled movement language for the ballet, which some might argue is limited, but it establishes a specific world and provides the audience with legible visual hooks.
Christopher Ash's set design is equally effective, featuring moving bookcases that act as screens for glimpses of landscape and cityscape, offering a light-touch way to set scenes. Lister's famous coded diaries are represented by swirling dancers in costumes adorned with her mysterious script, symbolising how once-secret aspects of her life are now celebrated.
Gentleman Jack is running at Leeds Grand theatre until 14 March, with a touring schedule extending until 5 September. This production not only pushes boundaries with its subject matter but also delivers a compelling and visually striking ballet experience.
