NORTHERN Ballet’s new creation for 2015 will be 1984, in a dance adaptation of George Orwell’s 1949 dystopian vision by guest choreographer Jonathan Watkins.

The Leeds company’s world premiere will take place in their home city at the West Yorkshire Playhouse from September 5 to 12, before a tour in Autumn 2015 and Spring 2016.

Orwell depicts a world smothered by 24-hour surveillance in which totalitarianism is taken to new depths, prompting Winston Smith to fight back against Big Brother. Battling against conformity, he starts a diary and begins writing his way to freedom but Big Brother is always watching.

In his loneliness, Winston seeks solace in memories of the past, and in an alcove in his flat where he believes he can’t be seen begins to write a journal criticising Big Brother.

He falls in love with Julia, who shares his loathing of the status quo, but little does he know his battle against the system will result in his ultimate isolation.

For his first full-length ballet, Watkins is bringing together a creative team of experienced collaborators. A new score has been commissioned from composer and arranger Alex Baranowski, who has worked with Mercury Prize-winning band The xx and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, and linked up with Watkins previously on his 2014 dance adaptation of Kes.

Sets and costumes will be by Simon Daw, whose design credits include productions for the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal Opera House and Rambert Dance Company. The dramaturg will be Ruth Little, former literary manager of the Royal Court Theatre, and the lighting design will be by Chris Davey, best known for his dance and theatre collaborations with Matthew Bourne.Watkins, a Yorkshireman from Barnsley, was formerly a First Artist with the Royal Ballet and retired from dancing in 2013.

He made his main-stage choreographic debut in 2010 with As One and collaborated on the Royal Opera House’s Metamorphosis: Titian 2012.

His dance adaptation of Kes premiered at Sheffield Crucible Theatre last March.

“I am extremely excited to be working with this multi-talented company to create my vision of 1984,” he says.

“This literary masterpiece has been a constant inspiration to me and now seems a highly relevant time to consider the possibilities of its thought-provoking story.”

Northern Ballet’s commitment to creating new ballets to bring new audiences to dance has been bolstered by a funding increase from Arts Council England, enabling the company to offer more opportunities for more artists to work with them.

Jonathan Watkins’s forthcoming production is one such chance, much to the pleasure of artistic director David Nixon.

“I am delighted Jonathan accepted my invitation to create 1984 with us. He is an exciting talent and I believe, with the support of Northern Ballet, he is ready to take the next step in his journey as a choreographer,” he says.

“I am proud that we produce and tour more new work than any other ballet company in the UK. Our exceptionally talented dancers are the perfect company on whom Jonathan can create his first full-length ballet.

“It’s incredibly important that we invest in the future of British dance by providing opportunities such as these to young choreographers.”

Tickets for 1984 can be booked on 01132 137700 or at wyp.org.uk