Rapunzel After Dark – photo credit Luke Waddington
Family dance theatre maverick balletLORENT returns to Northern Stage to retell the evergreen fairy story of Rapunzel in the first of its kind adult interpretation.
Whilst at night (30 September and 1 October 2022) Rapunzel After Dark is a no holds barred staging of the yarn, closer in spirit to the Brothers Grimms’ original story, which was never intended for children.
Featuring depictions of sex and partial nudity, the dance piece touches upon adult themes including childlessness, miscarriage, grief, obsession and child abuse, with strong gothic folk horror undertones. It is recommended for audiences aged 16+.
Both versions turn the familiar allegory, first published in 1812, inside out by exposing the hidden stories 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.
An identical cast performs in both adaptations, with rising star Benedicta Valentina Mamuini (Jub in balletLORENT’s The Lost Happy Endings) playing Rapunzel and balletLORENT regular Caroline Reece as the witch, a role she has revived from a decade earlier. The pair, along with the rest of the nine-strong cast are choreographed and directed by Liv Lorent MBE.
The two-headed shape-shifting show also shares playfully eccentric costumes by award-winning designer Michele Clapton (Game of Thrones; The Crown; Mamma Mia), a classical soundtrack by long time creative collaborator Murray Gold (Dr Who; Gentleman Jack; It’s a Sin), narration by leading British actor Lesley Sharp (The Full Monty; Scott and Bailey; Three Girls), lighting design by Malcolm Rippeth and set design by Phil Eddolls. The score is recorded by Northern Sinfonia.
Rapunzel After Dark represent significant reworkings 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 former poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy, and the new interpretations retain her charismatic words and radical plotlines.
Rapunzel After Dark
Friday 30 September & Saturday 1 October 2022 at 8.30pm
Northern Stage, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RH
For tickets: https://northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/rapunzel-after-dark/
T: 0191 230 5151
Tickets from £10
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