Family dance theatre maverick balletLORENT is coming to Derby Theatre this February to retell the evergreen fairy story of Rapunzel.
In balletLORENT’s version of the timeless tale, specially written by former poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy, a flame-haired Rapunzel becomes entrapped in the tower with only a possessive witch and her pet creatures for company. A prince, drawn by the sound of her singing, attempts to rescue her, but they end up rescuing each other.
With its dark beauty and raw emotion, balletLORENT’s Rapunzel is closer in spirit to the Brothers Grimms’ original story than Disney’s Tangled. And though it’s suitable for audiences aged from 5+, the show has plenty to appeal to older children and families.
balletLORENT’s Rapunzel sensitively navigates its way around the classic fable through movement, dance and is narrated by leading British actor Lesley Sharp, who is best known for her appearances in The Full Monty, Afterlife and Clocking Off.
The story turns the familiar allegory, first published in 1812, inside out by exposing the hidden voices of secondary characters. Vistas shift as we become privy to the forgotten perspectives of the childless witch and Rapunzel’s bereft parents, whose hopes and fears for their stolen child are explored through hypnotic dream sequences.
Rapunzel is a significant reworking of balletLORENT’s 2012 Rapunzel, which delighted audiences around the country and was named Performance of the Year at The Journal Culture Awards 2012.
The original version was the company’s first of many collaborations with Carol Ann Duffy, and the new interpretations retain her charismatic words and radical plotlines.
An identical cast performs in both adaptations, with balletLORENT regular Natalie MacGillivray playing Rapunzel. The nine-strong cast are choreographed and directed by Liv Lorent MBE.
Rapunzel’s playfully eccentric costumes are by award-winning designer Michele Clapton (Game of Thrones; The Crown; Mamma Mia!) and the classical soundtrack is by longtime creative collaborator Murray Gold (Dr Who; Gentleman Jack; It’s a Sin) and recorded by Northern Sinfonia. Lighting design is by Malcolm Rippeth and set design by Phil Eddolls.
Liv Lorent, artistic director, balletLORENT, said: “Rapunzel is the story of a wife and a witch both desperately wanting a baby, and relates a powerful urgency towards this quest, which is suitable for a family audience.
“It is a big story of beautiful adolescent Rapunzel who longs for freedom from an overprotective mother. She is trapped, but eventually is free and builds her own new life.
“It is told from a female perspective and made through the female gaze.”
The production follows Snow White (2015- 2016), Rumpelstiltskin (2017-2018) and The Lost Happy Endings (2019-2022).
balletLORENT’s Rapunzel
Friday 9 February 2024 at 6.30pm & Saturday 10 February 2024 at 2pm
Derby Theatre, 15 Theatre Walk, St Peter’s Quarter, Derby DE1 2NF
For tickets: https://derbytheatre.co.uk/event/rapunzel/
T: 01332 59 39 39
Tickets: £21
