The Stage

Documentary to record how Northern Ballet copes with ACE cut

Published Thursday 26 May 2011 at 11:12 by Natalie Woolman

Northern Ballet is to be the subject of a BBC documentary focusing on “the business of ballet”, The Stage has learned.

Filming of the Yorkshire-based company has already started and will show the day-to-day running of the organisation as it faces a 14.9% real-terms cut in its subsidy over the next four years.

The one-hour documentary will be shown as part of a three-part series that will also feature two other arts organisations, yet to be announced. The series will air next year.

Mark Skipper, Northern Ballet’s chief executive, said: “We’re very excited to be taking part in a documentary that focuses on the business of ballet. It will follow Northern Ballet during one of our most challenging years ever as we work to make up the financial gap created by the recent cuts to public sector funding - the announcement of which came just after the official opening of our fantastic new building in central Leeds and the successful premiere of our new production, Cleopatra.”

The series is being made by production company Wall to Wall, which produced Who Do You Think You Are? for the BBC as well as the film Man On Wire.

The documentary follows the success of Agony and Ecstasy - A Year With English National Ballet earlier this year, which was made by Tiger Aspect for BBC4.

A BBC spokesman said: “Northern Ballet is taking part in a BBC documentary looking at the day-to-day running of the company over the course of the coming year. More details are soon to be announced.”

Previously a regularly funded organisation, Northern Ballet was accepted into Arts Council England’s new national portfolio earlier this year.

However, the organisation will see its arts council subsidy drop from £2.8 million in 2010/11 to £2.6 million in 2014/15.