FREDERICO Bonelli, artistic director of Northern Ballet, clearly speaking from the heart expressed his company’s sorrow at the death of Queen Elizabeth. The Quarry Theatre audience then observed a minute’s silence for Her late Majesty and rose to its feet as one for the National Anthem.

Northern Ballet’s powerful narrative style has long been the Leeds based company’s emblem. Three Short Ballets probes even deeper into the realisation, through dance, of human feelings that we can all relate to. Wailers is both choreographed and set to music by Cape Town born Mthuthuzeli November. The thirty-five-minute ballet is orchestrated and conducted by George Morton. Wailers offers thanks to the beauty and the struggles of life; to those with us or no longer with us.

Nostalgia is choreographed by Belgium born Stina Quagebeur to music by Jeremy Birchall. This is an exploration of the familiar state of longing, poignancy and piercing joy: a quiet force that eases our pain and connects us together.

Following the release of a short film of the same title, world renowned hip-hop dancer and choreographer Dickson Mbi from Cameroon, reimagines his Ma Vie on stage. Ma Vie Live, with vocals by Mbi and Violetta Vicci, explores Giacomo Casanova's thirst for love, his complex relationship with the church and his eventual downfall.

Made in Leeds: Three Short Ballets are beautifully lit by Alastair West. Each work speaks directly to the audience which, at last Saturday evening’s premiere, responded with yelps of delight and amazement.

Performances run at Leeds Playhouse until Saturday 17th September and from 1st to 3rd November, at the Linbury Studio, Royal Opera House Covent Garden.