National Youth Ballet Of Great Britain, Joanna Lumley

For its 2016 Season, the National Youth Ballet of Great Britain will present a special programme of performances celebrating its inspirational Founder and Artistic Director Jill Tookey, who passed away in March this year.

The 2016 programme of performances will showcase highlights from National Youth Ballet’s 29-year history through some of Jill’s favourite commissions. These include The Old Man of Lochnagar, a ballet based on the children’s book by HRH The Prince of Wales, choreographed by Olivier Award winner and NYB alumnus Drew McOnie. NYB’s innovative Beyond Ballet platform will also return, showcasing young choreographic talents presenting their own works.

The Memorial Gala performance at Sadler’s Wells will also include new commissions and performances from returning alumni including choreographer Andrew McNicol, West End performer Lucinda Lawrence and Birmingham Royal Ballet first artist Ruth Brill.

Joanna Lumley has been a patron of National Youth Ballet since 1989, when she met Jill at one of the company’s performances at Sadler’s Wells. Joanna has since become a huge supporter of the company, and has narrated two of their ballets. Joanna will host the gala performance on Sunday 4 September, where she will be joined on stage by many returning alumni, who now dance for leading companies including Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures.