THE Earl and Countess of Wessex will be attending a performance of Northern Ballet Theatre’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Friday, October 31, at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury.

Earlier this year Northern Ballet Theatre announced that he was to take over the role of royal patron of the company, a position formerly held by Princess Margaret.

Northern Ballet Theatre artistic director David Nixon said “The Earl has been a staunch supporter of Northern Ballet Theatre for many years and we are delighted to be celebrating his first visit as Royal Patron at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, where Northern Ballet Theatre has enjoyed over a decade of loyal support from theatre staff and patrons.”

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, David Nixon’s latest work for the company, had its World Première this September at Leeds’ West Yorkshire Playhouse.

The ballet transports Shakespeare’s comic masterpiece to a sleeper train, where the romantic entanglements of a 1940’s touring ballet company are skilfully danced out with hilarious consequences.

Marlowe Theatre Director Mark Everett said: "We are all thrilled at the prospect of a very special evening. It will be the first Royal visit to The Marlowe since the theatre opened in 1984.

"I am particularly pleased that it is in connection with our friends at Northern Ballet Theatre who have had such success in helping us build audiences for dance in Canterbury.”