Northern Ballet’s Gentleman Jack – Alhambra Theatre, Bradford

Director and Choreographer: Annabelle Lopez Ochoa

Composer: Peter Salem

Conductor: Daniel Parkinson

This ballet, which had its premiere in 2025, enjoys a second run as it portrays the amazing real life story of Anne Lister, the 19th century Yorkshire woman who dressed all in black and defied all known convention to live life fully on her own terms. Living at Shibden Hall in Halifax with her aunt and uncle and sister Marian, Anne was a shrewd businesswoman who had lots of ideas to compete with the local landowners and mining bosses which they, of course, resented. To be fair they were only reacting as society dictated at the time, as equally shocked by the fact that she was meddling in affairs that were traditionally handled by men as much as by her outward behaviour as a lesbian.

Anyone familiar with the acclaimed hit BBC series of the same name by Sally Wainwright (who acted as creative consultant) will know what to expect of the story. Gemma Coutts is absolutely scintillating in the lead role, virtually on stage throughout. She dominates in every way and you cannot take your eyes off her. The opening scene sets the tone: Anne is surrounded by men yet controls the stage, directing their every move, strutting and decisive and banging her cane down to orchestrate their movements (in such a way that is strangely reminiscent of the storyteller in Christopher Nolan’s new version of The Odyssey), proudly behaving as she means to go on in her own way no matter what the consequences. This prologue symbolises everything she stands for and is a hallmark of what is to come. 

The show then proceeds to demonstrate Anne’s life both personally and professionally, from her dealings with her loving family to her business relationships and her romantic entanglements. Whilst Coutts’ is the standout performance three other dancers deserve mention from a whole company that is universally superb. George Liang plays wealthy industrialist Christopher Rawson and is Anne’s main rival on the business front. He is in turn outraged, insulted and affronted by Anne’s behaviour and the fact that she challenges his position as the acknowledged leader of the men. He is also Ann Walker’s uncle and therefore implicitly affected by the relationship that develops between her and Anne Lister. Rachael Gillespie is at first shy and demure but finds herself drawn to Anne’s boisterous and adventurous nature eventually encouraged to become the type of woman she always wanted to be. After ups and downs and doubts and anxieties on both sides Anne and Ann are eventually wedded in a symbolic wedding scene that is beautifully staged and speaks volumes about the pair’s courage and commitment. Saeka Shirai plays Mariana Lawton, Anne’s friend and lover at the beginning who breaks Anne’s heart by marrying a man. Eventually she comes to regret her choice of convention over love as Anne moves away from her and towards Ann Walker. Shirai and Coutts’ pas de deux in the first half is passionate and sexy and is just one of many highlights throughout. 

This production boasts some very nice touches. The many scene changes are achieved efficiently and effortlessly and helped enormously by a creative and imaginative set design (Christopher Ash). Internal and external scenes are cleverly delineated by the use of portable screens that variously show landscapes, townscapes and in one instance a stained glass window for the wedding scene. Furniture and props are mainly organised by the cast themselves. Anne’s passion for walking long distances is effectively achieved by her walking on a travellator and she maintains that swagger and assurance throughout, topping it all off with a flourish of her cane and a nod and a wink. Peter Salem’s score is instantly catching and performed live and merits another hearing on its own. 

All in all this is a production not to be missed but you will have to be quick if you want to catch it in Yorkshire, Anne Lister’s birthplace county. 

Runs until 5th September 2026