Memorial to former Northern Ballet star Jonathan Ollivier


A former Northern Ballet star who was killed hours before a show will be celebrated in a memorial dance evening.

Jonathan Ollivier, 38, died in a motorbike accident in August, hours before he was due to perform in the final show of Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man at Sadler’s Wells Theatre.

Ollivier played the lead Luca in The Car Man, a production loosely based on Georges Bizet’s opera Carmen and set in 1960s America.

The memorial event will take place on January 18 at Sadler’s Wells Theatre.

There will be performances from Northern Ballet, where Ollivier danced for many years.

Speaking after Ollivier’s death David Nixon, artistic direct at Northern Ballet in Leeds, said: “Jon was an extremely valued member of Northern Ballet and an extraordinary performer.”

All income from ticket sales will be placed in charitable trust funds for his two sons, Lucas, six, and Isaac, 12 months.

Tickets, priced between £12 and £100, include a free programme and access to a post-show reception with dancers and the creative team.

Contemporary Dance Press Release Northern Ballet