Newcastle dance theatre company only NE contender at London ceremony

A Newcastle dance theatre company has found itself the only north east contender at the UK Theatre Awards. Proudly founded in the city in 1993 by artistic director Liv Lorent MBE, balletLORENT's touring productions of Snow White/ Snow White: The Sacrifice have been nominated for the achievement in dance trophy.

Featuring 11 dancers, rolling community casts from local schools, and an original score from Doctor Who composer Murray Gold, the family-friendly Snow White and 16+ version The Sacrifice toured nationally in spring 2025. Both versions of the Brothers Grimm classic were retold for modern audiences by former poet laureate and longtime balletLORENT collaborator Carol Ann Duffy, and featured the voice talents of actors Lindsay Duncan and Sarah Parish. Whilst Snow White was a significant reworking of the company's 2015/16 production, which delighted audiences around the country and received glowing reviews, The Sacrifice was an entirely new show, premiering at Newcastle's Northern Stage on Halloween 2024.

For the last 30 years, the annual UK Theatre Awards have celebrated the creative excellence and outstanding achievements seen on and off stage throughout England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. According to organisers UK Theatre, this year’s shortlist, featuring nominees from all four nations, highlights the originality and creativity of theatre across the UK. The winners will be announced at a ceremony taking place on Sunday 12 October 2025 in the heart of London, hosted by Faye Tozer, best known as a member of the pop group Steps.

balletLORENT's Snow White is back on tour in 2026, visiting Salford, Leeds, Dundee, Kirkcaldy and Glasgow. Whilst the film version of Snow White: The Sacrifice, made for performing arts streamer Marquee TV and directed by Game of Thrones actor Ben Crompton, has a one-night-only big screen showing at Tyneside Cinema on 21 October 2025. In addition to touring nationally, balletLORENT runs a year-round programme of activities, including a creative knitting and movement group for ages 60+, a free youth dance academy for ages 7-12 and Creative Studio for ages 13-18.

For the 2025 achievement in dance trophy, balletLORENT is up against StopGap for Lived Fiction, Claire Cunningham's Songs of the Wayfarer and Thick & Tight's Natural Behaviour. Claire Walker and Hannah Essex, co-CEOs, award organisers London Society of Theatre & UK Theatre said: “This year’s UK Theatre Awards nominations are a testament to the astonishing talent and dedication of our members. Across the country theatres are creating incredible work on-stage and providing welcoming spaces for their local community off-stage. Congratulations to all the nominees and thank you to our sponsors and partners for their fantastic support. We look forward to celebrating with everyone on Sunday 12 October.”

Liv Lorent MBE, artistic director, balletLORENT said: 'We are honoured to represent the vibrant creativity of the North East on a national stage in London. We’re incredibly grateful to all the audiences who joined us for Snow White and Snow White: The Sacrifice this year. It’s been heartening to see the powerful response to both productions, and we’re excited to bring the family-friendly version of Snow White back on tour next year. The enduring appeal of these stories, centuries after they were first told, is a testament to the way fairy tales connect deeply with the human experience, resonating across generations and through time.”