The process of creating a new dance work from scratch is, to say the least, a bit of an endeavour. You start with nothing and then, usually over a period of months, you develop the simple kernel of an idea into a finished piece and even then you’re not down because of all the honing.
With that we turn to Ballet Lorent and their new work ‘Rumpelstiltskin’ that is not set to bow in theatres until the end of this year. We joined the company for a day of early R&D that many companies use before settling into full-on rehearsals.
Although often credited to The Brothers Grimm the tale of ‘Rumpelstiltskin’ is thought to have originated some 4000 years ago. The typing elves at Wikipedia tell us this much about the story;
“In order to make himself appear superior, a miller lies to the king, telling him that his daughter can spin straw into gold. (Some versions make the miller’s daughter blond and describe the “straw-into-gold” claim as a careless boast the miller makes about the way his daughter’s straw-like blond hair takes on a gold-like lustre when sunshine strikes it.)
The king calls for the girl, shuts her in a tower room filled with straw and a spinning wheel, and demands she spin the straw into gold by morning or he will cut off her head (other versions have the king threatening to lock her up in a dungeon forever). When she has given up all hope, an imp-like creature appears in the room and spins the straw into gold in return for her necklace (since he only comes to people seeking a deal/trade).”
‘Rumpelstiltskin’ will premiere in October. Dancers: Natalie Trewinnard, Gwen Berwick, Juliet Thompson, Ray Roa, Toby Fitzgibbons, Giulia Coti Zelati, Jessica Haener, Maria Vincentelli, Benny Valentina and Debbi Purtill. Featuring music by Murray Gold. Model design by Phil Eddolls.
Filmed at Byker Wall Community Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne on February 17th 2017.