A Simple Man 1987
A Simple Man
BBC & Northern Ballet Theatre 1987
UK Tour 1987 onwards
Commissioned to celebrate the centenary of the birth of the painter L. S. Lowry in 1987, this award-winning ballet/dance drama celebrates the life and work of the unique artist.
The production follows Lowry’s search for his subject as a painter, his relationship with his mother, and the various girls, both real and imagined, who came into his life.
Devised, directed and choreographed by Gillian Lynne with music by composer Carl Davis. The TV production is performed by the Northern Ballet Theatre and led by two ex-Royal Ballet stars returning to the dance stage after more than twenty years away - Christopher Gable who played Lowry, and Moira Shearer who played Lowry’s mother - and included an introduction by Albert Finney.
Created originally for TV, it then toured the UK in 1987 with Lynn Seymour taking the role of Lowry’s mother and has been part of Northern Ballet’s repertoire since. Gillian created a new prologue for the UK tour in 2009 to celebrate Northern Ballet’s 40th anniversary.
Rehearsing A Simple Man 1987
An excerpt of the ballet was performed for the Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium in 1989, with Gillian taking the role of Lowry’s mother alongside Christopher Gable and the Company.
Created/Director/Choreographer: Gillian Lynne
Music: Carl Davis
Design: David Wilson
Costumes: Tim Goodchild
Lighting: Robin Empsail
Make-up: Joyce Dean
TV Producer: Ian Squires
L.S.Lowry: Christopher Gable
Lowry’s mother: Moira Shearer
Northern Ballet Theatre / BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
A Simple Man was awarded the 1988 BAFTA - Hugh Wheldon Award - Best Arts Programme - and was nominated in 1988 for an International Emmy Award.
