REVIEW: Gentleman Jack, Sheffield Lyceum
GENTLEMAN Jack rattles more than a few tea-cups as a woman taking on the men amongst wealthy coal-owning families in 19th century Yorkshire.
This is the story of Anne Lister – referred to as the “first modern lesbian” – based on her diaries which when unearthed became the subject of legend.
Clinking tea-cups feature in light-hearted scenes at the home of her aunt, uncle and sister during afternoon tea – cleverly counterposed to her tougher side in the aggressive world of business rivalry.
We shouldn’t forget Anne was from a privileged background and in class terms united with her fellow coal bosses against miners fighting for better pay.
Nonetheless it’s a great story of a woman challenging male dominance.
Dancers play the Chorus of Words, pages of her diary which are projected onto screens – and all the while ‘Jack’ strides out across her beloved Yorkshire countryside as the images shift to the atmospheric landscape.
Gemma Coutts is wonderful in the lead role, sharp, stylish and slick – with witty inflections, sensual moves and a charming presence enriched by glances towards the audience.
She’s particularly compelling as Jack loses the love of her life and gets assaulted in the street for being different before movingly reasserting her life and unflinching sensuality.
It’s a beautiful danced ensemble piece with Saeke Shirai as Mariana Lawton, Rachael Gillespie as Ann Walker, George Liang as Christopher Rawson, Alessandra Bramante as Rawson’s wife, all on splendid form.
And Heather Lehan is delightful as Anne’s Aunt, ably supported by Albert Gonzalez Orts as the Uncle and Harriet Marden as her sister Marian.
Choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa – artistic director Federico Bonell’s perfect choice to bring the story to the stage – oversees stunning sequences in this Northern Ballet world premiere tour.
Clare Croft brings great expertise to the story-telling as dramaturg, complemented by Peter Salem’s marvellous musical score, Louise Flangan’s wonderful costumes, Christopher Ash’s great sets and lighting, with Jemima Brown as choreography consultant and Sally Wainwright, creator of the BBC TV series, as creative consultant.
At the end Anne is defined on stage by a picture frame – queer women forever leaving their mark.
- Gentleman Jack is at Sheffield Lyceum until Saturday April 4.