A pair of giant chickens and a witch wearing a dress covered in crocheted cakes have been among the talking points for young audiences getting an early look at a new dance theatre production in Newcastle.
More than 200 children from schools across the city’s West End were invited into balletLORENT’s studios at the John Marley Centre in Scotswood for a preview of Hansel & Gretel and the Witch, which opens at Northern Stage next week.
But the pupils, aged between five and 15, weren’t simply there to watch.
After seeing scenes from the production, they were asked for their opinions on how the show was coming together – and what they would change.
The verdict was overwhelmingly positive, although there were a few suggestions for improvements.
“The main comments we heard were that they wanted to see even more of the witch, along with her unusual pets, a pair of giant chickens,” said balletLORENT education manager James MacGillivray.
“The older pupils were particularly interested in the costumes and set, especially the witch’s ‘cake dress’ which is embellished with hand-crocheted sweets, eclairs and doughnuts.”
The company’s artistic director, Liv Lorent MBE, is now considering how to incorporate the children’s ideas into the finished production.
Pupils from Bridgewater, Broadwood and St Bede’s Catholic primary schools, along with specialist school Thomas Bewick, took part in the visits, which included creative workshops supported by Newcastle Culture Investment Fund.
“It’s important that young people see that ambitious, creative work is being made right here in their community and across the North East, close to where they live,” said James.
“We want them to recognise the range of people and skills involved in bringing a production to life, and to see that careers in the arts and theatre are real possibilities for their own futures.”
The new production promises to reimagine the familiar Brothers Grimm fairytale through balletLORENT’s distinctive combination of dance, theatre and visual storytelling.
With words by former Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy and narration by North East-born actor Gina McKee, it features nine professional dancers alongside members of the company’s Youth Academy, aged seven to 12.
Audiences can expect a tempting sugar-glass house in the woods, an all-you-can-eat merry-go-round and, of course, a witch whose unusual wardrobe has already made an impression.
Designed for audiences aged five and over, Hansel & Gretel and the Witch runs at Northern Stage, Newcastle, from October 29 to November 1.