In its last two productions, Rapunzel and Snow White, Newcastle-based balletLORENT has used local children, from toddlers through to teenagers, as an important part of the show. In the next production, Rumpelstiltskin, which will première at Northern Stage in October, director and choreographer Liv Lorent intends to add a community cast of older people.
“Talent development remains our priority as a company,” Liv Lorent said. “We will continue to offer dance education of the highest standard to all ages, provide professional development opportunities for young graduates and our own dancers and further develop our high quality participatory and performance opportunities for children and older people by engaging a community cast at every place we tour to with Rumpelstiltskin.”
To raise money to enable this to happen, balletLORENT is holding a fundraising event at the Stand Comedy Club in Newcastle on Monday 27 February at 8:30 (doors open at 7PM). The acts taking part will be The Mimic Men (aka Cal Halbert & Alfie Joey), Ben Crompton, Katherine Tanney and David Callaghan and the compère will be Hal Branson.
There will be a raffle with more than 20 prizes, including a Dan Hillier print, a Caruthers and Kent luxury wine hamper, signed books by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy (who scripted the Fairytale Trilogy) and two tickets for the Sadler’s Wells spring season 2017.
Tickets for the evening (£5) can be bought from the company office in Dance City, by 'phone on 0191 233 1811 or from The Stand box office on 0191 300 9700.
The company is also organising an Easter Dance Intensive for 7- to 11-year-olds from 10 to 13 April at Jesmond United Reformed Church, Burdon Terrace, Newcastle, running each day from 9:30AM to 4:30PM (child supervision available from 9AM to 5PM). It is suitable for young dancers of all levels and experience and the cost is £120 inc VAT, or £98 if booked before 1 March.
To book a place, e-mail [email protected] or call 0191 233 1811.