Female dancer in a orange skirt smiling as she stands on one foot en point, one leg bent at the knee behind her and an arm raised above her head while the other is held by a male dancer in white and grey

Joie de Vivre

This ballet is inspired by the very beautiful piano and violin solos of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius.

I’ve put together eight different pieces as a poem or epigram of human feelings, emotions and connections. I hope it will send you home humming romantic tunes, filled with the joy of life.

Benjamin Ella

From the Stage

Female dancer wearing a vibrant orange dress stands on her toes and reaches across to a male dancer in grey tights and shirt who is kneeling on the stage and holding her extended hand
Male dancer faces away from the camera over whose shoulder we can see a female dancer smiling at him while she wraps her arms around his shoulders.
Female dancer in a orange skirt smiling as she stands on one foot en point, one leg bent at the knee behind her and an arm raised above her head while the other is held by a male dancer in white and grey
Looking across the stage the lists shine directly at us and in between we see a female dancer in a lilac dress standing on one foot with an arm above her head while a male dancer in grey tights and shirt holds her by her waist

Production images by Emily Nuttall featuring dancers Kirica Takahashi, Jun Ishii, Joseph Taylor, and Dominique Larose.

From the Rehearsal Room

Two smiling dancers, one supporting the other with an outstretched hand, and the other, in a blue top and darker blue leggings, stands on one leg, his other stretched out behind him
Two dancer striking similar poses, both on one leg, the male to the left has a leg perpendicular to his body in from of him, and the female to the right is perfectly arabesque
Two smiling dancers, one supporting the other with an outstretched hand, and the other, in a yellow dress and dark patterned top, stands on one leg, her other stretched out in front of her
Two dancers, one supporting the other around the waist as she stands en pointe on one foot, her leg raid behind her, her back slightly arched and her arms raised to the side
Male dancer wearing blue stands on one leg, the other raised high, one arm above his head, and balancing with his other arm stretched out
Dancers holding their pose while the choreographer looks on.
A choreographer to the left mirrors a dancers position, one arm and one leg in front.

Photos from rehearsals of Joie de Vivre by Benjamin Ella featuring dancers Kirica Takahashi, Jun Ishii, Joseph Taylor, and Dominique Larose with choreographer Benjamin Ella. Photos taken by Emily Nuttall and Ellis Dytrych.

Music by Jean Sibelius

Scene d’amour from ‘Scaramouche’, Op. 71
5 Pieces for Violin and Piano, Op. 81, III. Valse
4 Pieces for Violin and Piano, Op. 78, IV. Rigaudon
5 Pieces for Violin and Piano, Op. 81, II. Rondino
Novelette for Violin and Piano, Op. 102
4 Pieces for Violin and Piano, Op. 78, I. Impromptu
6 Pieces for Violin and Piano, Op. 79, IV. Serenade
5 Pieces for Violin and Piano, Op. 81, I. Mazurka
4 Pieces for Violin and Piano, Op. 78, II. Romance
5 Pieces for Violin and Piano, Op. 81, IV. Aubade

Performed live by:

Ewan Gilford – Piano
Geoffrey Allan – Violin

Lighting design by

Alastair West

Costume designed and made by

Julie Anderson and Carley Marsh
With support from Northern Ballet wardrobe department

Hair & make up styles by

Harriet Rogers assisted by Elizabeth Fraser

Running time 30 minutes

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