New Ballet Tells Story of Anne Lister at Leeds Grand Theatre
February 20, 2026Introducing Northern Ballet’s Gentleman Jack
Northern Ballet will present the world premiere of Gentleman Jack at Leeds Grand Theatre from 7 to 14 March 2026. The production explores the life of Anne Lister, a 19th-century Yorkshire woman known for her unconventional lifestyle and detailed diaries which revealed her personal story after her death.
The Cast and Their Roles
- Gemma Coutts plays Anne Lister, often described as the ‘first modern lesbian’. Coutts grew up in Thailand, trained at the English National Ballet School, and is now in her fifth season with Northern Ballet.
- Rachael Gillespie portrays Ann Walker, Anne Lister’s long-term partner and eventual wife. Gillespie has been with Northern Ballet for 18 years.
- Saeka Shirai takes the role of Marianna Lawton, a friend and lover of Anne Lister who later marries Charles Lawton. Shirai hails from Osaka, Japan, trained at Yuki Ballet Studio and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, and is in her fourth season with Northern Ballet.
Insights from the Dancers
The dancers shared their reflections on Anne Lister’s story and the creative process behind the ballet.
Awareness of Anne Lister
- Gemma Coutts was not familiar with Anne Lister before the production but was struck by her confidence and social impact.
- Saeka Shirai had some prior awareness and admired Lister’s courage.
- Rachael Gillespie highlighted Lister’s strength, courage, and intelligence, noting her bravery in defying social expectations.
Working with Choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
- Coutts described the choreographer as passionate and purposeful, allowing for a focused creative process.
- Shirai found the process inspiring and collaborative, noting Lopez Ochoa’s clarity mirrored Anne Lister’s own character.
Describing the Ballet in Three Words
- Gemma Coutts: Challenging, evocative, powerful.
- Rachael Gillespie: Empowering, innovative, enriching.
- Saeka Shirai: Brave, bold, confident.
About Anne Lister
Anne Lister was a Yorkshire landowner who lived openly as a lesbian at a time when this was socially unacceptable. Her extensive diaries, written partly in code, were decoded after her death, revealing her life, relationships, and defiance of 19th-century norms.
Performance Details
Gentleman Jack will be performed at Leeds Grand Theatre from Saturday 7 March to Saturday 14 March 2026. Tickets and further information are available through Northern Ballet’s official channels.
Source
Information sourced from Leeds Heritage Theatres.
