Gentleman Jack at Sadlers Wells Review
Photo: Colleen Mair
Written by Mia for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review. All views are our own
Throughout history there have been hundreds of women who have achieved great things in the face of adversity, from Rosalind Franklin and Ada Lovelace to Katherine Johnson and Hedy Lamar. Anne Lister has perhaps primarily been known for her nickname Gentleman Jack and the fact that she chose to dress like a man, but more recently – and particularly following the series with Suranne Jones – she has gained renown as the first modern lesbian.
Her story is inspirational, sad and groundbreaking, not least because she notionally married her final lover, Ann Walker, in Holy Trinity Church in Yorkshire. With all of this in mind, her life is the perfect subject for a modern ballet.
Gentleman Jack the ballet has an exceptionally strong creative team behind it, with Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s stunning choreography, perfectly woven with Clare Croft’s symbolic narrative. This is further enhanced by PeterSalem’s beautiful music and Louise Flanagan’s costumes. Christopher Ash’s set is simple, yet effective, with moving bookcases that double up as locations, using video to show the changing landscapes.
Opening with Anne Lister (Gemma Coutts) surrounded by a group of men, her personality shines through in the choreography, costume and stage presence. Instantly clear is the choice for Anne to dance en demi-pointe throughout the performance (excepting the wedding); this enhances Anne’s choice to present in the masculine form. The use of the cane within the dancing is also effective and helps to symbolise her outward ‘mask’, compared to her more comfortable presence with close family and her lovers.
Dancers play a myriad of roles and are used to show the various social classes of the 18th and 19th centuries that were also fighting to be seen. They are also used to provide brief – but welcome – comedic moments, through scene changes and reactions.
This ballet is led by three female characters and there are sharp contrasts between the dance styles of Anne versus Marianna Lawton (Saeka Shirai) and Ann Walker (Rachael Gillespie), and this is developed well with the reactions of the other characters, which further iterates the difficulties faced by women who dared to desire a role not laid out for them by society.
Although not a traditional corps de ballet, Anne’s words are presented through clever use of movement and costume, and the dance here is remarkably effective, showing her torment and frustration, as well as the speed and determination with which she writes. The intimate scenes between Anne and her lovers are delicate yet romantic and once again show the conflicting emotions between each woman.
The entire production is a masterclass in storytelling, as we see the highs and lows of Anne’s journey richly woven through a tapestry of colour, sound and vision.
Gentleman Jack plays at Sadlers Wells until May 23rd, before heading on tour, starting with Norwich Theatre Royal between the 27th and 30th of May.
★★★★★
