The Tortoise and the Hare, Barnsley Civic

A re-imagining of Aesop’s much-loved fable is the latest in Northern Ballet’s award-winning series of Short Ballets for Small People.

It tells the story of a tortoise who, fed up of being teased for being too slow, challenges a hare to a race.

Choreographed by the Leeds-based company’s dancers Dreda Blow and Sebastian Loe, this is the second children’s ballet by the pair who created Ugly Duckling in 2012.

Daniel de Andrade, Northern Ballet’s artistic director of Short Ballets for Small People, said: “These ballets are classic tales beautifully retold through dance and are the perfect introduction to ballet for children and young families.

“It will provide a wonderful opportunity for children and their families to enjoy live performances designed especially for them and will hopefully inspire a new-found love for dance, music and theatre”

Northern Ballet has delivered free creative workshops at four primary schools in the Barnsley area. These were Hope House, Joseph Locke Primary School and special education schools Greenacre and North Ridge Community.

The workshops give pupils the chance to work with professional dancers and learn steps from the production.

Teacher Mrs Denner from Hope House School said of dancer Keisha’s visit: “The children saw pictures from the production and discussed the plot and themes and enjoyed dancing to music in partners, learning routines and expressing their own creativity. The children really enjoyed working with her.”

Shows are tomorrow at noon, 2pm and 4pm. Visit Barnsley Civic or call 01226 327000.