NEWS
Newcastle pupils guide dancers on how to create an A+ show
balletLORENT says the opinions of Year 4 students from Bridgewater Primary in Scotswood will shape its new dance theatre production of Snow White.
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Pupils from a West End of Newcastle primary school took a break from their usual maths and English lessons to offer some advice to a local dance company.
Sixty Year 4 students from Bridgewater Primary School in Scotswood were invited to the studio of their dance theatre neighbour balletLORENT.
But for the Honeybees and the Dolphins, all aged eight and nine, it was not just a relaxing morning out of the classroom to watch a show.
The company's artistic director, Liv Lorent, decided to invite the group into rehearsals for a special consultation. After watching scenes from balletLORENT's new production of Snow White, the children were asked their opinions on how the show was shaping up - and what they thought could be even better.
Aimed at audiences from age 5+, and premiering at Newcastle's Northern Stage at the start of November, Lorent thinks the children's honest feedback could be the secret to making the show, which will tour nationally next year, a sell out success.
James MacGillivray, education and projects manager, balletLORENT, said: "You sometimes get in a bit of a bubble when you're rehearsing for a show and an outside perspective is always useful.
"With Snow White being aimed at family audiences aged from 5+, who better to advise us than children from our local community? Bridgewater Primary is less than a mile from our home at the John Marley Centre and it felt only natural to involve some of the children in the rehearsal process and to listen to their feedback.
"For many of the children, it was their first experience of theatre, and we hope it was a really positive one. As a West End creative organisation, consultations with local children is just one way we can embed ourselves positively within the local area."
Willow, one of the Bridgewater pupils, said: "I had some advice for the dancers. I thought that when the wicked Queen has a doll of Snow White and she rips it up, it would be better if she did this in front of Snow White rather than behind the scenes, so Snow White knows just how much her mum hates her."
Classmate Karthik said: "I have never actually been to the theatre before. This is my first time. I thought when the dancers were moving dramatically it was really fun.
"It was really good to see how important the music is. Without music, the dancing is just not the same, not as good."
Miss Brady, a year 4 teacher at the school who accompanied the children, said: "They loved it. To see their reactions to certain parts of the show was brilliant and just getting them to see how a production works was very powerful.
"I think it's really good that the children have been asked what they would change and what they liked. The idea that what they said could change the show is very powerful.
"In terms of their feedback, I'm never really surprised by anything they say! But I knew they would enjoy it. I think they definitely wanted to see more of the show today, which must be a good sign."
balletLORENT's Snow White retains all the classic elements of the original Brothers Grimm tale, which has been familiar to readers for over two centuries: a jealous mother, a beautiful daughter, a magic mirror, and a poison apple.
Retold for the modern age in the distinctive style of poet Carol Ann Duffy, family audiences can enjoy this highly accessible dance theatre performance, narrated by actor Lindsay Duncan.
balletLORENT's dance theatre production of Snow White is at Northern Stage, Barras Bridge NE1 7RH on Friday 1 November 2024 at 6.30pm and Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 November 2024 at 2pm. Tickets are £12-£32.
