In a rehearsal room at Northern Ballet in Leeds, a captivating scene unfolds as dancers bring to life the story of Anne Lister, the 19th-century landowner famously known as Gentleman Jack. Choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa is at the helm, transforming Sally Wainwright's hit TV series into a powerful ballet that delves into Lister's audacious life and passionate relationships.
From Screen to Stage: A Bold Adaptation
Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, a Belgian-Colombian choreographer based in Amsterdam, initially had no prior knowledge of Anne Lister when the project was proposed. However, after binge-watching the acclaimed television series, she was immediately drawn to the character's formidable presence. 'The woman, I mean, she's a force!' Lopez Ochoa exclaims. 'She is audacious. She is in her power. She's unafraid, inspiring. There is a little bit of edge to her. She's not very kind, she's not a hero – but that's what makes her interesting.' This complexity made Lister an ideal subject for Lopez Ochoa, who has a proven track record of creating ballets based on strong, complicated women like Frida Kahlo, Coco Chanel, and Eva Perón.
Portraying Love and Defiance Through Dance
The ballet focuses on the two most significant women in Lister's life: Mariana Lawton, her great love over two decades who ultimately married a man for convention and financial security, and Ann Walker, with whom Lister took holy communion in a commitment they considered a marriage. In rehearsals, this dynamic is vividly captured as dancers transition from formal, resigned movements between a man and woman to bright, playful interactions between two women, culminating in an intimate clinch behind a bookcase.
Lopez Ochoa appreciates Lister's intelligence and strategic behaviour in a male-dominated world, a trait she relates to from her own experiences in choreography. 'How she behaved around men to get what she wanted. She really used her brains. This I could relate to, in this male-dominated choreographic world, where I had always the feeling that I had to prove myself,' she reflects. Her personal journey also mirrors Lister's defiance of gender norms; as a child, Lopez Ochoa wore her brothers' clothes and was sent to ballet to appear more feminine, yet she retained her assertiveness, a quality that has defined her career.
Innovative Choreography and Casting Choices
To authentically portray Lister, Lopez Ochoa made several innovative decisions. The dancers cast in the lead role—Gemma Coutts, Amber Lewis, and Nida Aydinoğlu—were chosen for their fearlessness and willingness to take up space, unafraid of being perceived as 'ugly' in classical ballet terms. In a departure from tradition, the dancer playing Lister wears flat shoes instead of pointes, except during the communion scene, allowing for a more grounded presence when partnering other women. This shift necessitates creative solutions for climactic moments, as female dancers cannot execute the same large lifts as male counterparts.
Romantic female pas de deux are rare in ballet, and Lopez Ochoa aims to avoid clichés, such as acrobatic splits often seen in passionate duets. 'It's just going to be different, curvier, more sinuous,' she describes. While kisses are not yet incorporated, movements are designed to express love profoundly, with potential additions after the 'wedding' scene. The dancers have embraced this approach enthusiastically; Lopez Ochoa recalls, 'I came here last year to workshop with them and they were like, 'Let's get raunchy!''
Impact and Legacy: Beyond the Stage
The TV series Gentleman Jack has cultivated an ardent fanbase, with some women reporting life-changing realisations about their sexuality upon hearing Lister's story. Lopez Ochoa hopes the ballet will have a similar impact, particularly in the dance world where many gay men are out, but lesbian dancers may still feel constrained. She shares an emotional anecdote: 'When I told her I was doing Gentleman Jack as a ballet, she was bawling.' This underscores the potential for the production to foster greater visibility and acceptance.
The ballet is set to premiere at Leeds Grand Theatre from 7th to 14th March, followed by a tour. Through this adaptation, Lopez Ochoa not only celebrates Anne Lister's legacy but also pushes the boundaries of classical ballet, offering a fresh and inclusive narrative that resonates with contemporary audiences.
