“We’re not just putting on a show; we’re opening doors.”
Dance City CEO and Artistic Director, Anand Bhatt, reflects bringing ballet to our theatre this Christmas.
For so long, ballet has been seen as an art form reserved for the European elite – a world of slender, strong, able-bodied dancers moving to classical scores, accessible to only a few. At Dance City, we’re challenging that perception.
Our mission is clear: dance is for everyone, and that includes ballet. We want to be the bridge between what ballet has traditionally represented and the reality of what it can be today – a captivating, profoundly moving art form that transcends boundaries. Ballet can be magical and universal, something that resonates deeply with all kinds of audiences, not just an exclusive few.
This December, we’re thrilled to bring Ballet Cymru’s Romeo a Juliet to our Newcastle stage. While preserving the grandeur of Prokofiev’s iconic score, the production will offer an intimate and unique setting at Dance City. Ballet Cymru is a unique company that values diversity in both its dancers and its choreography, working with artists from various ethnic backgrounds and performers with disabilities. They’re a powerful reminder that ballet doesn’t need to be exclusive. Their ethos aligns perfectly with our vision at Dance City, where we see dance, in all its forms, as a universal language that everyone should be able to enjoy and participate in. By partnering with Ballet Cymru, we’re not just putting on a show; we’re opening doors.
A vital part of this project is our commitment to accessibility, made possible through the generous support of the Gillian Dickinson Trust. With their help, Dance City has been able to provide 1,440 free tickets for our community performances, bringing together young students, older adults and marginalised groups across the North East. For many young people, this will be their first experience of live ballet, an opportunity schools may struggle to offer due to limited budgets. Being able to share the magic of ballet with these students is a significant step in opening up cultural access.
At the same time, we’re inviting older adults and marginalised community members to engage with ballet, where they can experience the joy and connection of dance. This fosters both physical well-being and a sense of community – a testament to our commitment to supporting active, fulfilling lives across generations.
It’s been incredibly exciting to see the enthusiastic response from schools and communities alike. But our commitment goes beyond just offering a single performance; we aim to create a lasting impact that sparks a genuine connection to ballet and the arts.
In February, Ballet Cymru will return to conduct workshops in schools, community centres and here at Dance City. These sessions will provide participants with the opportunity to experience ballet firsthand, transforming it from a spectator activity into one of active participation. Our aim is to engage not only those who attended the ballet performance but also a broader range of people, including professionals. This approach offers a deeper, more meaningful relationship with dance, and we believe that journey will be truly inspiring.
(Top: Anand Bhatt. Photo Credit: Colin Davison. Bottom: Romeo a Juliet, Ballet Cymru. Photo credit: Sleepy Robot.)
Arts education has faced significant challenges over the past decade, and as a dance agency, we know that we are an important tool in bridging the gap between private dance settings and community settings. We believe that dance makes people happier, healthier and more connected and we’re committed to doing everything we can to ensure that everyone has access to this transformative form of art. Through these workshops, we’re inviting the community to step into the world of ballet, discovering that it truly is for everyone.
Our work with Ballet Cymru marks only the beginning of what we hope will be an ongoing partnership. Over the next five years, we aim to bring new ballets to Dance City each year, creating a sustainable relationship that deepens ties between our communities and this art form. Our relationship will extend beyond this, exploring the shared cultural heritage between the North East and Wales. With common histories tied to coal mining and strong working-class communities, the resonance between these regions is profound. This connection is important because it reminds us that dance – and ballet – has a place in everyone’s story. It isn’t just about creating art for the stage but about celebrating and connecting with our collective experiences and memories.
Dance City exists because we believe dance is a powerful force for joy, health and community. Our goal is to make all forms of dance accessible and relevant, to bring dance into community settings where it can enrich lives. Whether through ballet, hip hop, contemporary dance or any other genre, we believe that dance has something vital to offer everyone. The Romeo a Juliet production is just one of many steps we’re taking to bring dance to the North East in new ways and to ensure that this art form reaches people from all backgrounds.
This project is part of a broader mission to create a ripple effect in our communities, inspiring deeper connections with the arts and encouraging people to engage in ways they might not have thought possible. We invite you to join us, whether it’s to watch, to participate, or simply to see what’s possible when ballet meets community.
To purchase a ticket and join us in the theatre this Christmas, please click here.
-Anand Bhatt, CEO and Artistic Director of Dance City
