Northern Ballet and Sally Wainwright bring Gentleman Jack to stage

The ballet, called Gentleman Jack, will "explore the narrative of this fiercely independent woman who defied societal norms and expectations".

Often referred to as 'the first modern lesbian', Anne Lister was from a landowning family in Shibden in the Calder Valley. She travelled extensively in the 19th century and wrote a remarkable collection of diaries, in code, revealing details of her life, including her development of Shibden Hall and her interests in medicine, mathematics, landscaping, mining, railways and canals.

Anne's remarkable life inspired the hit BBC/HBO series Gentleman Jack, written by Sally Wainwright and starring Suranne Jones, and partly filmed in the Bradford district.

Suranne Jones in a scene from Gentleman Jack on Haworth Moor (Image: Mark Davis)

As Northern Ballet's first large-scale commission since 2021 and the first under Artistic Director Federico Bonelli, Gentleman Jack marks a significant milestone for the Leeds-based company. The ballet will open in Leeds before touring in 2026.

Federico Bonelli said: "Northern Ballet is renowned for expert storytelling and mastery of ballet technique, this production will be no exception. Like many, I first became aware of Anne Lister through the BBC drama and have been fascinated by how the traditionally gendered language of classical ballet could be adapted to convey her story.

"As an organisation, our aim is to break down barriers to world class ballet for larger and more diverse audiences. It is my vision to diversify the stories represented in ballet, and add to the landscape of the dance sector through stories that connect with audiences. Anne Lister’s story is a perspective we rarely see represented through ballet. With her connection to our home in Yorkshire it feels like a perfect fit."

The creative team includes Sally Wainwright, who said: "It's so exciting to see Anne Lister's influence and legacy continue to expand and for her life and writing to reach new audiences. What a thrilling opportunity to present her to the world in a brand new way."

Choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa said Anne's story, revealed through her diaries, "offers an incredible depth and richness that are fascinating to explore through ballet".

Composer Claire Cowan, who is creating a new score for the ballet, said Anne's story "is a very exciting one to explore, especially through the artform of ballet where it is a rare delight to see a queer female character, let alone a queer female love story based on real life.

"It's fascinating to be delving into all the nuances of how we will tell a story, through ballet, of a more masculine woman, a woman who loved women. In this ballet, it’s not just that such a woman - a woman who refused to marry a man - is on stage, but that she’s at the centre of the story. Queer women get a shot at seeing one version of ourselves on a ballet stage. That shouldn’t be a big deal, but it is."

Northern Ballet's Learning team will launch a schools programme, exploring themes of identity, allyship and compassion, supporting young people to challenge prejudice, celebrate diversity and express themselves.