ORWELL'S 1984 is to be brought to the stage in dance with a world premiere by Northern Ballet.

The dystopian masterpiece has been recreated as a ballet and will be performed at West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds from September 5 to 12 before touring nationally.

Choreographed by Jonathan Watkins, whose recent credits include Kes for Sheffield Crucible Theatre, the production is the first full-length ballet adaptation of George Orwell’s renowned novel. It is set to an original score by Tony nominated composer and arranger Alex Baranowski, who recently worked with Mercury Prize winning band The xx. The creative team also includes set and costume designer Simon Daw, whose work includes productions with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal Opera House and Rambert Dance Company; Dramaturg Ruth Little, previously Literary Manager of The Royal Court Theatre; and Lighting Designer Chris Davey, well known for his work in dance and theatre including collaborations with Matthew Bourne.

In the production, Ministry of Truth worker Winston Smith lives in a world of absolute conformity, his every action scrutinised by Big Brother. Whilst outwardly conforming to Party doctrine, he is secretly disillusioned, illegally documenting his thoughts in a diary. When one day he receives a love note from Julia, a colleague he suspected on spying on him for the Thought Police, the pair instead begin an illicit affair leading a dangerous double life putting physical desire above Party discipline. As their romance develops and they prepare for an act of political rebellion, Winston and Julia discover that Big Brother is always watching and no one can be trusted; least of all themselves.

Jonathan Watkins said: "George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four has been a constant inspiration to me since I first read it at 15. It is a powerful and thought-provoking allegory that now, more than ever, has resonance with the times in which we are living.

"I am excited to be working with Northern Ballet and a wonderful creative team to realise this new full-length ballet for the audiences of today and I look forward to exploring through dance, music and film, a new way of seeing this modern classic."

Northern Ballet’s Artistic Director, David Nixon, said: "Jonathan is an exciting choreographic talent and I am delighted that he accepted my invitation to create 1984 with us. This production promises to challenge the idea of what stories can be told through dance and the dramatic talent of our dancers will draw the audience into the very core of this literary masterpiece."

Tickets for the World Première of Northern Ballet’s 1984 are on sale now and can be booked online at wyp.org.uk or by calling the box office on 0113 213 7700.