A new version of Rumpelstiltskin by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, to be performed at Northern Stage this month, completes balletLORENT’s Grimm fairytale dance theatre trilogy, following Rapunzel in 2012 and Snow White in 2015.
Rumpelstiltskin is the story of the outsider shunned for being different, a story of love, obsession, grief and reconciliation. It is an emotionally rich fairytale set in a rural world of sheep, straw, wool and spinning where the alchemist, Rumpelstiltskin, is cast out until he is revealed to be "the true prince that he was".
"What,” he asks, “will you give me if I spin straw into gold for you?"
The production is directed and choreographed by Liv Lorent with a score by Doctor Who composer Murray Gold, costume design by Michele Clapton (Game of Thrones), narration by Ben Crompton, set design by Phil Eddolls and lighting design by Malcolm Rippeth and Michael Morgan. It is, says Liv Lorent, dance theatre for 21st century family audiences.
It features an inter-generational cast made up of children (aged 4-9) and older ladies (aged 68-79 years) who have been recruited through local primary schools and community groups in the west end of Newcastle, Byker and Walker.
Rumpelstiltskin premières at Northern Stage in Newcastle from 24 to 28 October and will tour nationally between March and November 2018.