The story of a rebel living in a dystopic nightmare where thoughts can land you in prison might not seem to marry well with ballet - but it turns out Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell could have been written for it.
Great Britain has become a totalitarian state where everything is controlled and historical records are falsified by the Ministry of Truth to favour the government.
Ministry workers Winston Smith and Julia fall in love and their affair, forbidden by the state, is conducted in secret.
They are found out, separated, jailed - and sucked back into the machine.
The novel's themes are political, but it's a tragic love story too - and that's where the ballet takes its inspiration.
Isaac Lee-Baker as Winston and Dreda Blow as Julia were mesmerising. Their dances together were powerfully moving, especially the love scene and when they are forced apart. Both dancers conveyed so much of the story in their expressions alone - passion, fear, apprehension and secrecy were acted beautifully.
The dancers are stiff and rigid when they are being watched by Big Brother, but when they are away from prying eyes the movements are full of emotion.
Click through the gallery to see pictures from the performance.
If you're a ballet novice like me you might be expecting nothing but elegant hands, pirouettes, tutus and swans - but Northern Ballet choreography draws from contemporary dance and the performers clench their fists, fight, scream and fall.
The music, played by a live orchestra, is incredible. It was composed by Alex Baranowski, who has collaborated with Mercury award winning band The xx. It is as integral to the storytelling as the dancers, adding atmosphere, passion and emotion.
In all, the production is dramatic, moving and utterly enthralling, and a beautiful adaptation of the original story.
West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, is host to the world premiere. The show is in Leeds until Saturday September 12. Further performances take place in Nottingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Edinburgh and London.
Watch the dancers in rehearsal below.
