RAPUNZEL performed by balletORENT.

RAPUNZEL has always been a fairytale I have always been aware of but I haven’t necessarily fully understood the backstory behind the tale. Where a young girl is imprisoned in a tower by the woman she believes to be her Mother, the Witch. Writer Carol Ann Duffy and Liv Lorent, director and choreographer have created an outstanding ballet production.

Each musical composition captured the scene perfectly. From the jubilant celebrations by the villagers enjoying life to the rage of the Witch (Caroline Reece) when she captured Rapunzel’s father (Toby Fitzgibbons) stealing from her garden. Who could blame her for reacting with anger after he destroyed part of her garden.

Natalie MacGillivray in the role of Rapunzel presents a strong performance as she scales the staging frameworks, and attempts to escape the Witch’s clutches each emotion and feeling can be felt and seen through her movements along with the tender moments between herself and the Prince (Gavin Coward). The strength and endurance she possessed is outstanding.

Michele Clapton designed a superb range of costumes. The trees of life depicted on the front of most of the costumes are eye-catching and show the strength and depth of the roots which ground trees and help build their strength, which reflects in the strength of the character shown to the audience from Rapunzel.

The company chose to hire professional dancers who have young children to perform together in the production. It was enchanting watching the younger cast members enjoy their roles and one is still a baby. Such a clever way to ensure you get cast members are relaxed and feel safe on the stage.

balletLORENT has created a production which will leave a lasting memory for me. From the striking gothic setting uses tall metal frameworks that move around the stage to form a bedroom, Tower and general building fronts as the scenes change.

Throughout the Ballet, all of the dancers perform barefoot. Climbing those frames by some of the cast was incredibly impressive. The entire cast didn’t put a single foot wrong throughout the only voice heard in the auditorium was the narrator Lesley Sharp.

Hopefully, balletLORENT would consider touring Rapunzel and allow more audiences to witness this beautiful production.

For more information about balletLORENT and future productions at Derby Theatre please use the links below.

Five Stars.

https://www.balletlorent.com/