Gentleman Jack at Sadler’s Wells: A ballet that burns with passion, wit and a standing ovation (plus a royal surprise)

Last night I attended the world premiere of Gentleman Jack by Northern Ballet with my friend and amateur ballet dancer Olga, expecting an elegant evening of dance. What I got was an emotional rollercoaster, a history lesson, a celebration of defiant love – and a genuine brush with royalty.

On a Tuesday night in London, I’m sitting in the stunning Sadler’s Wells Theatre, programme in hand, when I notice a flutter of activity a few rows below. A familiar figure settles into a seat. Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, is attending the same premiere. Casual.

Then the lights dimmed, the orchestra struck up, the national anthem played and everybody got on their feet. Shortly afterwards Anne Lister – the real?life “Gentleman Jack” – took the stage. And I forgot all about dukes.

A story that demands to be told

Anne Lister (1791–1840) was a Yorkshire landowner, businesswoman, traveller, and diarist. She was also, by modern understanding, a lesbian – a woman who loved women openly, defiantly, and unapologetically in an era that wanted her to be quiet, small, and married to a man. She dressed in black, walked with a masculine stride, and refused to hide. Locals called her “Gentleman Jack” – not always kindly, but she wore the name like armour.

Her five-million-word diary, much of it written in a secret code, was only deciphered long after her death. When it was, it revealed a life of extraordinary passion, intellect, and courage. She had several long-term relationships with women; her final and most significant was with Ann Walker, with whom she exchanged vows in Holy Trinity Church, York, in 1834 – widely regarded as Britain’s first lesbian marriage. I came across Anne Lister, for the first time, during my trip to York.

This is the story Northern Ballet has chosen to tell. And they tell it magnificently.

The ballet: accessible, emotional, and surprisingly funny

I’m not a ballet critic. I don’t spend my evenings discussing pliés or pirouettes. But Gentleman Jack is a ballet for everyone. You don’t need to know the history. You don’t need to have seen the BBC/HBO series (though if you have, you’ll recognise the spirit). The choreography by the multi-award-winning Annabelle Lopez Ochoa is so clear, so expressive, that every emotion – joy, longing, heartbreak, rage – is written in the dancers’ bodies.

One moment you’re watching a graceful, tender duet between Anne and her first great love, Mariana Lawton. The next, the stage explodes with energy as Anne storms across it, fists clenched, defying a society that wants to crush her. And then – suddenly – there’s a moment of pure, unexpected comedy: a comic dance of servants or a sly glance that had the whole audience chuckling. It’s funny! A ballet about a 19th-century lesbian landowner made me laugh out loud.

The live music, composed by Peter Salem, is sweeping and cinematic – at times romantic, at times urgent, always perfectly matched to the action. The costumes, designed by Louise Flanagan, blend 1830s period pieces with modern queer fashion touches (think tailored trousers and sharp jackets for Anne). The overall effect is timeless.

The choreography: graceful, devastating, and then flying

Can we talk about the dancing? Because wow. The lead dancer portraying Anne Lister was a force of nature – powerful, angular, with a commanding stage presence that made you believe she could run an estate, negotiate a coal contract, and break your heart all before breakfast. Her duets with Ann Walker (the woman she eventually marries) were so tender, so intimate, that I felt like an intruder. And when Mariana (the love she couldn’t keep) appeared, the anguish was palpable.

Then, just when you think you’ve recovered, there’s a sequence where dancers seem to fly across the stage – leaps, lifts, spins that defy gravity. I clutched my programme like a life raft. I’m not ashamed to admit that I teared up more than once.

The production has already won the FEDORA – VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Dance Prize 2025, which recognises ballets that reimagine dance for the 21st century. You can see why. This isn’t a dusty classic. It’s a bold, modern, accessible work that pushes boundaries.

Why this matters for London Mums (and our families)

You might be wondering: why is a mums’ magazine reviewing a ballet about a 19th-century lesbian? Because Anne Lister’s story is about so much more than sexuality. It’s about authenticity. It’s about refusing to be what the world expects you to be. It’s about a woman who ran her own estate, learned mathematics, invested in mining and canals, and travelled the world – all while wearing a top hat and a fierce expression.

For our children – especially girls – seeing a woman who was unapologetically herself is powerful. For anyone who has ever felt different, misunderstood, or pressured to conform, Anne Lister is a beacon. And the ballet handles her story with such warmth, humour, and respect that it becomes a celebration, not a lecture.

I’d happily bring a teenager to this show. There’s no explicit content beyond romantic dances (kisses, embraces), and the themes of love, loss, and resilience are universal. The Northern Ballet also runs a schools education programme exploring identity and compassion – so if you’re a teacher or a parent, that’s worth knowing.

Practical info: see it before it’s gone

Gentleman Jack is on a nationwide tour, but London’s run at Sadler’s Wells ends 23 May 2026. That’s this weekend. Tickets are selling fast, and after the standing ovation I witnessed – Prince Edward clapping along with the rest of us – I suspect they’ll sell out.

• Venue: Sadler’s Wells, Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R 4TN
  
• Dates: Until Saturday 23 May 2026
  
• Tickets: northernballet.com/gentleman-jack
  
• Running time: Approximately 2 hours (including interval)
  
• Age guidance: Suitable for ages 12+ (though younger ballet fans who are used to emotional stories would be fine)
  
• There are also audio?described performances for visually impaired audience members – check the website for details.

Final verdict: a standing ovation from me (and a duke)

I went expecting elegant dancing. I left feeling inspired, moved, and oddly proud to be a Yorkshire-adjacent woman (okay, I’m Italian, but I live in London – I’m claiming a spiritual connection). Anne Lister’s story is one of courage, wit, and determination. Northern Ballet has turned it into a piece of art that is both timeless and urgently contemporary.

Prince Edward clearly thought so too. But honestly, I wasn’t looking at him once the dancing started.

Rating: 5/5 stars – for the choreography, the music, the heart, and the standing ovation.

Go. Take tissues. Take a friend. And be prepared to cheer.

Have you seen Gentleman Jack? Or are you planning to go? Let me know on Instagram or X – I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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