School experiment proves right formula

7:57am Thursday 28th June 2007

You wouldn't normally associate ballet with science. The idea of ballerinas pirouetting around science labs, leaping over Bunsen burners or dancing a pas de deux in white coats is something you'd expect from experimental theatre in dark cellars, or something weird at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

But for Northern Ballet Theatre, the extraordinary combination of ballet and science is a new formula for approaching the National Curriculum. The Leeds-based company is taking dance into schools to encourage creativity in GCSE science.

Northern Ballet Theatre recently teamed up with Beckfoot School to hold a week-long dance and science residency for 20 Year 9 pupils.

Held at NBT's Leeds base, it explored the formation of the earth, galaxies and the big bang' theory through dance activities. Pupils have created a dance piece to perform for family and friends at Beckfoot School next Thursday, and collaborating on the project are a scientist, a digital artist and a composer.

The project is supported by Creative Partnerships, managed by Arts Council England, which builds partnerships between schools, arts organisations and businesses to help children develop their creativity. The partnership demonstrates the pivotal role creativity can play in transforming education.

An interactive CD-rom, to be launched later this year for dance and science teachers, will include footage, music and visuals from the residency and the pupils' performance.

NBT dance education officer Sophie Alder, who led the residency, says the project "brings to life a subject that's difficult to explpore practical terms."

"The theoretical concepts involved in this part of the curriculum require a use of imagination to understand," she adds. "By exploring them through dance, music and visual images, we hope the students will gain a greater understanding and experience a different way of learning."

An interactive CD-Rom will be created of the project in collaboration with NBT partners Leeds Met. The resource, due to be launched later in the year, is aimed at teachers and students of dance and science and will include footage, music and visuals from the residency and the pupils' final performance.

This summer NBT leads another community project, helping blind and partially-sighted people to enjoy dance. The company is holding a Summer Sensations course at the Girls' Grammar School, Bradford' on August 22 and 23, for visually impaired people and their families to try creative dance techniques with other visually impaired people.

NBT is looking for families to take part in the course.

Caroline Burn, dance education officer at NBT, says it's a "fantastic opportunity for people to develop dance skills such as co-ordination, body awareness and musicality, while meeting new people in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

"We are looking for visually impaired people and their families to join us and enjoy a refreshing insight into the world of dance. We hope all participants will have fun, meet new people and feel inspired to continue with an interest in dance."

NBT's work with visually impaired people involves offering audio-described performances, touch tours and practical workshops throughout the year. Summer Sensations is an element of the company's long-term partnership with the Royal National Institute for the Blind and Henshaws Society for Blind People.

This autumn NBT launches its new season tour which includes the première of The Nutcracker, a new production from artistic director David Nixon.

The traditionally-staged ballet, aimed at family audiences, features beautiful costumes, spectacular sets and Tchaikovsky's famous score, including The Waltz of the Flowers and The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

The tour also sees a return to the Alhambra of NBT's faithful interpretation of Romeo and Juliet. The production blends dramatic dancing and electrifying fight scenes, capturing the passion and energy that sweeps the action to its tragic climax.

Opulent and versatile sets portray the streets of Verona, while the cat and bird'-inspired costumes convey tensions between the warring Montagues and Capulets. The Massimo Moricone interpretation retains the original direction of NBT founder, the late Christopher Gable, and the set design is by Lez Brotherston who worked with dance maverick Matthew Bourne on his ballet of Edward Scissorhands.

Shakespeare is given further NBT treatment in the company's acclaimed version of A Midsummer Night's Dream, set in the 1930s. The romantic antics of a touring dance company are played out one midsummer night as it travels by sleeper train from London to Edinburgh, with Theseus as the artistic director and Hippolyta as the principal ballerina.

As night falls and the train enters a tunnel on its long journey northwards, tensions reach a climax and the dancers find themselves in a strange, nocturnal realm where they must resolve their disputes, helped - or stage-managed - by a very mischievous Puck.

Dior-inspired costumes and stylish black and white sets provide a dazzling contrast to the glorious Technicolor of the dream world, while David Nixon's choreography brings out the comedy, romance and entanglements of the enchanting story.

All performances are accompanied by live music from the NBT Orchestra.

• A Midsummer Night's Dream runs at the West Yorkshire Playhouse from September 6 to 15. For tickets ring (0113) 2137700. Romeo and Juliet runs at the Alhambra from October 23 to 27 - ring (01274) 432000 - and The Nutcracker runs at the Grand Theatre, Leeds, from November 27 to December 8. Ring 0870 1222815. For more information about Summer Sensations, or to apply for a place on the course, ring (0113) 2745355 or e-mail learningandaccess@northernballettheare.co.uk. The closing date for applications is July 20 and places are limited, so early booking is advised.

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