We call it Ballet in Leeds is an illuminated reinterpretation of Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty, blending classical choreography with innovative visual elements to create a truly magical experience. Audiences are transported into a fairytale world where princesses, spells, and fairies come to life through graceful movement and fibre-optic costumes that light up the stage. In a city with a rich dance heritage, this production resonates deeply with Leeds’ vibrant performing arts scene, home to institutions like Northern Ballet and Phoenix Dance Theatre.
This stunning performance will unfold at Riley Smith Theatre, which hosts tons of beautiful dance performances. Make sure you grab tickets quickly because seats and dates are limited!
What is We call it Ballet
This production maintains the essence of ballet—its graceful lines, athletic jumps, and expressive port de bras—while introducing an innovative visual element through light-enhanced costumes. The performance incorporates illumination directly into the dancers’ attire, creating a symbiotic relationship between movement and light where each gesture generates its own luminous trail across the stage.
Ballet, its storytelling and the show
Ballet has always excelled at transforming abstract concepts into tangible emotional experiences through movement. In We call it Ballet, audiences witness this transformative power through selections from The Sleeping Beauty, one of the most beloved works in the classical canon. This fairy tale ballet depicts Princess Aurora’s journey from the celebration of her sixteenth birthday—where she receives the fateful spindle from the disguised Carabosse—through her century-long enchanted sleep, to her eventual awakening by Prince Florimund.
The production uses fibre optics within the costumes to underscore the emotional progression of the story, with different hues corresponding to various emotional states and dramatic moments. This visual enhancement serves as an intuitive guide through the narrative, making the storytelling more immediate and accessible. With a concise running time of 60 minutes, the performance distills the essence of classical ballet into a focused artistic experience.
We call it Ballet is an hour-long experience that brings classic tales like The Sleeping Beauty to life through graceful choreography, classical music, and illuminated costumes. This enchanting performance blends tradition with innovation, creating a magical introduction to the world of ballet. Doors open 30 minutes before the show, with seating on a first-come, first-served basis—arrive early to enjoy the full experience.