Ballet Lorent

Ballet Lorent balletLORENT are a international touring non profit dance theatre company based in the North East of England. The Company is a Sadler’s Wells National Partner.

balletLORENT is female-led, and is the North East England’s leading Dance Theatre company dedicated to creating ambitious, inclusive, high-quality work, touring to the UK’s most prestigious theatres. Our mission is to create world class, distinctive dance, for diverse family and adult audiences and participants of all ages, life experience, culture and background, with performances that refuse to

be elitist or mystifying. We celebrate our 30th anniversary in 2023, and the enduring strength and longevity of balletLORENT’s three-decade lifespan is fuelled by Artistic Director Liv Lorent’s commitment to innovation, determination to create dance theatre for people with limited access to arts and culture, and passion to broaden opportunities for the professional artists and diverse communities we engage with. We communicate work which is unmistakably made from a female vantage point and with feminist sensibility through dance theatre stories with a culture of warmth and belonging, where everyone is welcome to find joy and connection with others. The company was founded by Liv Lorent (MBE) in 1993 and has toured works nationally and internationally to much acclaim, including: Strange Glitter; The Ball; la nuit intime; Angelmoth; Designer Body; Blood, Sweat & Tears; Underneath the Floorboards The Night Ball and Love Struck. balletLORENT’s recent artistic programme has focused on the making of a trilogy of fairytales Directed by Liv Lorent and retold by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy. These works captured family audiences and include Rapunzel (2012), Snow White (2015) and Rumpelstiltskin (2017), continuing the collaboration with an original fairytale by Carol Ann Duffy, The Lost Happy Endings (2019). The company enjoys working with individual performers who are diverse in terms of their age (22-58) and experience. Many works created since the early beginnings of balletLORENT have featured an intergenerational cast and have included children, older people and pregnant women alongside the professional dancers. These large-scale works of 20 to 80 dancers include PassAge to Passion; Life Stories; La Famille; and MaEternal. balletLORENT’s fairytale stories are enhanced by a community cast of children who join the professional dancers on stage in each place we tour. Liv and the Company have received many awards, including the Jerwood Choreography Award 2001; the Arts Foundation Choreography Award 2005; A Herald Angel Award LUXURIA 2006 (a commissioned work by Scottish Dance Theatre); four Journal Culture Awards: Artist of the Year 2008; Performance of the Year (Rapunzel) 2012, Finalist in the Arts Council of England category (Snow White) 2016 and Performance of the Year (Rumpelstiltskin) 2017; Finalist for Best Independent Company at the Critic’s Circle National Dance Awards 2019; Fantastic for Families Audience Choice Award (Rumpelstiltskin) 2019; Finalist in One Dance UK Awards Innovation in Dance 2019. Liv received her MBE for services to dance in 2014. The company has collaborated with international companies including; Carte Blanche, Bergen in 2009 for a remount of la nuit intime; Eunetstar in 2005 for a European Street Art Festival tour of The Ferryman; and Cultuurcentrum Brugge programmed The Ball in 2005 at Koninklijke Stadsschouwburg. balletLORENT is funded as a National Portfolio Organisation by Arts Council of England. The Company became a registered charity in 2015.

Thank you for coming to see The Velveteen rabbit. We hope you enjoyed the show at Gosforth Civic Theatre. Since we're fu...
20/12/2024

Thank you for coming to see The Velveteen rabbit. We hope you enjoyed the show at Gosforth Civic Theatre.

Since we're funded by the Arts Council, we've got a quick survey to gather some feedback. If you could spare about 10 minutes, we'd really appreciate your thoughts on the show. It's got some questions from us and about 20 from the Arts Council.

Ready to help us out?

Just click this link to start the survey: https://uk.culturecounts.cc/s/pnr3N

As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on an incredible year of storytelling, movement, and creativity at BalletLORENT. Fr...
20/12/2024

As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on an incredible year of storytelling, movement, and creativity at BalletLORENT. From The Velveteen Rabbit tour to our productions of Snow White, our growing West Newcastle community, and film collaborations, it's been a year of magic and transformation.

Thank you to our audiences, participants, community, and funders for your support. We’re excited for what 2025 holds!

Read the full reflection on our year here: https://www.balletlorent.com/news/celebrating-2024



Photo: Luke Waddington

Second school show of The Velveteen Rabbit at - full house, lots of lovely happy faces! There are more shows tomorrow a...
19/12/2024

Second school show of The Velveteen Rabbit at - full house, lots of lovely happy faces! There are more shows tomorrow and Saturday and Sunday - come and see it!

Feel Good Dance Classes Return in January 2025!Our classes have now finished for the year, but we’ll be back the week of...
19/12/2024

Feel Good Dance Classes Return in January 2025!

Our classes have now finished for the year, but we’ll be back the week of 13 January 2025 with Yoga, Dance Creative, Grown-Up Ballet, and Move It.

Join us to move, stretch, and enjoy dance your way. You can book online or pay on the door.

Find out more and book your spot here: 👉 https://www.balletlorent.com/take-part/classes

19/12/2024

🎁 Perfect Christmas Gift Ideas for all the family 🎁

Why not give the gift of unforgettable memories with tickets to a balletLORENT production in 2025? 🌟

✨ The Velveteen Rabbit
🗓️ January & February 2025
📍 Bishop Auckland, Edinburgh, Manchester

✨ Snow White
🗓️ Spring 2025
📍 Hull, Sadler's Wells East London, Derby, Worthing, Doncaster, Darlington

✨ Snow White: The Sacrifice
🗓️ Spring 2025
📍 Sadler's Wells East London, Worthing, Doncaster, Darlington

💃 Experience magic and wonder as these enchanting tales come alive with breathtaking dance and storytelling.

🎟️ Tickets available now – don’t wait!
https://www.balletlorent.com/productions

18/12/2024
All our hand knitted cushions have arrived at Gosforth Civic Theatre so you can get cosy and watch the show up close! ...
18/12/2024

All our hand knitted cushions have arrived at Gosforth Civic Theatre so you can get cosy and watch the show up close!

We have arrived at Gosforth Civic Theatre with The Velveteen Rabbit. Today is a run through then it’s schools shows tomo...
18/12/2024

We have arrived at Gosforth Civic Theatre with The Velveteen Rabbit.

Today is a run through then it’s schools shows tomorrow, followed by public shows Friday, Saturday and Sunday - have you booked?

show

17/12/2024

✨ Our Velveteen Rabbit picture book will be available at this weekend's Christmas shows at Gosforth Civic Theatre! ✨

Inspired by our enchanting stage production, this 16-page softcover book brings the heartwarming story to life with stunning photographs from the performance. It’s the perfect festive stocking filler, capturing the timeless tale of love, friendship, and becoming “Real.”

At just £4, it’s a magical keepsake for young readers and families to cherish.

Be sure to pick up your copy at this weekend’s shows!

Tickets are still available for Friday's shows at 2pm and 5pm : https://www.gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk/the-velveteen-rabbit

Audition Call! Apply now balletLORENT is seeking a talented, versatile male/male-identifying dancer for our 2025 spring ...
17/12/2024

Audition Call! Apply now

balletLORENT is seeking a talented, versatile male/male-identifying dancer for our 2025 spring tour of Snow White and Snow White: The Sacrifice!

🗓️ Audition Date: 18th January 2025
⏰ Time: 11:15am – 4:00pm
📍 Location: Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Leeds

Closes 6th January 2025.

More info and how to apply at: https://www.balletlorent.com/news/audition-call-balletlorent

🎭✨ We were thrilled to welcome local schools—St Bede's, Excelsior Academy, and Bridgewater School—for special performanc...
13/12/2024

🎭✨ We were thrilled to welcome local schools—St Bede's, Excelsior Academy, and Bridgewater School—for special performances of The Velveteen Rabbit. 🌟

It was such a joy to see so many happy faces in the audience! Thank you for sharing these magical moments with us. 💕🐇

🎄 Today, we hosted a festive Christmas party for our amazing Knitters, Movers, and Shakers group! 🎉 It was such a pleasu...
13/12/2024

🎄 Today, we hosted a festive Christmas party for our amazing Knitters, Movers, and Shakers group! 🎉

It was such a pleasure to welcome these wonderful ladies for a special lunch as a heartfelt thank you for all their hard work and dedication throughout the year. 💖

The day was filled with laughter, great food, and plenty of holiday cheer. 🎁🌟 Thank you, ladies, for making this year so special—and your fantastic handy work! 💕

Discover the Dark Magic of balletLORENT's Snow White This revival of the 2015 hit blends fairy tale wonder with emotiona...
12/12/2024

Discover the Dark Magic of balletLORENT's Snow White

This revival of the 2015 hit blends fairy tale wonder with emotional depth. With choreography inspired by Carol Ann Duffy's storytelling and striking design, it’s a show filled with light, shade, and captivating performances.

Reviewed by Donald Hutera.

Now on tour in Spring 2025, visiting Hull, Sadlers East, Derby, Worthing, Darlington, and Doncaster. 🎟️ Tickets are on sale—don’t miss your chance to experience this unforgettable journey.

➡️ Read the full review on our website: https://www.balletlorent.com/news/through-darkness-consideration-balletlorents-snow-white

Photo; The Twins
Dancer: Virginia Scudeletti

A dedicated group of knitters from Bishop Auckland are racing against time to create sacks-full of giant woolly carrots!...
10/12/2024

A dedicated group of knitters from Bishop Auckland are racing against time to create sacks-full of giant woolly carrots! 🥕

The ladies of the Craft and Chat Knit & Natter group from Woodhouse Close Library have partnered with balletLORENT to create the carrots for the interactive children’s show, which will be performed at Bishop Auckland Town Hall in January. 🏛️ Read the full article in The Northern Echo here: https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24781881.county-durham-knitters-race-knit-giant-carrots/

These lovingly handmade carrots will be used by children during the show’s final scenes and will travel with the production to theatres in Edinburgh and Manchester too! 🧣

🎭 The Velveteen Rabbit is a timeless tale of love and transformation, perfect for families. The performance is filled with interaction, making it a fun experience for young audience members to meet the characters and feed the rabbits! 🐇

🔹 Join us at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on Saturday, 25 January 2025 at 11 am & 2 pm! Tickets are £10 🎟️
👉 Call T: 0300 026 9524 or book online.

A huge thank you to the Knit & Natter group for their dedication and skill! 💜

We are thrilled to share some exciting news — our very first published picture book, The Velveteen Rabbit, is now availa...
10/12/2024

We are thrilled to share some exciting news — our very first published picture book, The Velveteen Rabbit, is now available.

Inspired by our enchanting stage production, this 16-page softcover book brings the heartwarming story of The Velveteen Rabbit to life through stunning photographs from the performance. It captures the timeless tale of love, friendship, and the journey to becoming “Real” in a way that little ones and families alike will cherish.

At just £4, this delightful book is the perfect stocking filler for the festive season.

To find out more and to how to purchase your copy visit: https://www.balletlorent.com/news/announcing-our-first-published-book-velveteen-rabbit

Address

John Marley Centre
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE156TT

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 5pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5pm
Friday 9:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+441912331811

Website

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🎁 Perfect Christmas Gift Ideas for all the family 🎁 Why not give the gift of unforgettable memories with tickets to a balletLORENT production in 2025? 🌟 ✨ The Velveteen Rabbit 🗓️ January & February 2025 📍 Bishop Auckland, Edinburgh, Manchester ✨ Snow White 🗓️ Spring 2025 📍 Hull, Sadler's Wells East London, Derby, Worthing, Doncaster, Darlington ✨ Snow White: The Sacrifice 🗓️ Spring 2025 📍 Sadler's Wells East London, Worthing, Doncaster, Darlington 💃 Experience magic and wonder as these enchanting tales come alive with breathtaking dance and storytelling. 🎟️ Tickets available now – don’t wait! https://www.balletlorent.com/productions #ChristmasGifts #balletLORENT #VelveteenRabbit #SnowWhite #TheatreMagic #FamilyFun

✨ Our Velveteen Rabbit picture book will be available at this weekend's Christmas shows at Gosforth Civic Theatre! ✨ Inspired by our enchanting stage production, this 16-page softcover book brings the heartwarming story to life with stunning photographs from the performance. It’s the perfect festive stocking filler, capturing the timeless tale of love, friendship, and becoming “Real.” At just £4, it’s a magical keepsake for young readers and families to cherish. Be sure to pick up your copy at this weekend’s shows! Tickets are still available for Friday's shows at 2pm and 5pm : https://www.gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk/the-velveteen-rabbit #ChildrensBook #PictureBook #LetsCreate #TheVelveteenRabbit #ChristmasShows #FestiveGifts

🎁 Perfect Christmas Gift Ideas for all the family 🎁 Why not give the gift of unforgettable memories with tickets to a balletLORENT production in 2025? 🌟 ✨ The Velveteen Rabbit 🗓️ January & February 2025 📍 Bishop Auckland, Edinburgh, Manchester ✨ Snow White 🗓️ Spring 2025 📍 Hull, Sadler's Wells East London, Derby, Worthing, Doncaster, Darlington ✨ Snow White: The Sacrifice 🗓️ Spring 2025 📍 Sadler's Wells East London, Worthing, Doncaster, Darlington 💃 Experience magic and wonder as these enchanting tales come alive with breathtaking dance and storytelling. 🎟️ Tickets available now – don’t wait! https://www.balletlorent.com/productions #ChristmasGifts #balletLORENT #VelveteenRabbit #SnowWhite #TheatreMagic #FamilyFun

Our weekend Christmas shows of The Velveteen Rabbit at Gosforth Civic Theatre are SOLD OUT! But don’t worry, there are still a few tickets left for Friday 20th December—be quick before they’re gone! 📅 Friday 20 December 🕑 2 PM & 5 PM 🎁 Wrap up the school term and kickstart the festive season with this heartwarming tale. Perfect for the whole family! 👉 Book now: https://www.gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk/the-velveteen-rabbit #ChristmasTheatre #TheVelveteenRabbit #FamilyFun #GosforthCivicTheatre #ChristmasMagic

🎄✨ Just 23 Days Until Christmas! ✨🎄 Don’t miss The Velveteen Rabbit by BalletLORENT—a magical tale of love, adventure, and toys becoming real at GoGosforth Civic Theatre📅 Show Times: Friday 20 Dec: 2pm & 5pm (Last few tickets available!) Saturday 21 Dec: 11am & 2pm (Sold Out) Sunday 22 Dec: 11am & 2pm (Sold Out) 🎟️ £14 adults | £12 children Babes in arms under 12 months go free! ✨ Perfect for all the family, 45 minutes long, with a chance to meet the characters after the show. 📖 Inspired by Margery Williams’ classic tale and retold by Ben Crompton. 🎟️ Book now before it’s too late! https://www.gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk/the-velveteen-rabbit #familyfun#TheVelveteenRabbit

🎁Stuck for a gift idea this Christmas? Why not give the gift of unforgettable memories with tickets to a balletLORENT production in 2025? 🎭 The Velveteen Rabbit 🗓️ January & February 2025 📍 Bishop Auckland, Edinburgh, Manchester ❄️ Snow White 🗓️ Spring 2025 📍 Hull, Sadler's Wells East London, Derby, Worthing, Doncaster, Darlington ❄️ Snow White: The Sacrifice 🗓️ Spring 2025 📍 Sadler's Wells East London, Worthing, Doncaster, Darlington Experience the magic of these enchanting tales brought to life through breathtaking dance and storytelling. Perfect for family, friends, or anyone who loves the arts. 🎄💃 🎟️ Tickets available now—don’t miss out: https://www.balletlorent.com/productions #ChristmasGifts #TheatreMagic #balletLORENT #VelveteenRabbit #SnowWhite #FamilyFun

Congratulations to all the winners at last nights North East Culture Awards! What a fantastic evening it was, celebrating the incredible talent and creativity of so many organisations across our region. All the contributions make the North East a vibrant hub of culture and innovation. We were absolutely delighted to be finalists for two awards: Performance of the Year with The Velveteen Rabbit and Performer of the Year with the amazing Natalie MacGillivray—who will always be a winner to us! Here’s to the artists shaping our cultural landscape—well done, everyone! #NECultureAwards #CreativityInTheNorth #CulturalExcellence #TheVelveteenRabbit #NatalieMacGillivray

This January, Toys Come to Life! Looking for a fantastic gift for little ones? Treat them to a magical experience at Bishop Auckland Town Hall with Ballet Lorent's The Velveteen Rabbit 🐇 – a heartwarming dance theatre performance perfect for the whole family. Inspired by Margery Williams' classic tale and beautifully retold by Ben Crompton, this enchanting show blends storytelling, music, and dance to create pure magic! 📅 Saturday 25 January 🕚 11am & 2pm 🎟️ Get your tickets now: https://bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk/bishoppost/the-velveteen-rabbit/ #January2025 #familytheatre #BishopAuckland

🎄✨ Christmas is coming, and there’s magic in the air! ✨🎄 Join us at Gosforth Civic Theatre from 20-22 Dec for balletLORENT’s heartwarming retelling of The Velveteen Rabbit—a perfect festive treat for the whole family, from tiny tots to grandparents. Step into a world where toys come to life, as a boy and his beloved rabbit discover the true meaning of love through enchanting storytelling, music, and dance. With cosy cushions for the little ones to watch up close and a special chance to meet the performers after the show, this is a Christmas memory in the making. Don’t miss it! Book for your family now: https://www.gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk/the-velveteen-rabbit #FestiveFamilyMagic #VelveteenRabbit #ChristmasInNewcastle #gosforth

🎄Tickets are selling fast for The Velveteen Rabbit, our heartwarming Christmas show at Gosforth Civic Theatre! Don’t miss this magical story of love and friendship, perfect for all ages. Book today – seats are filling up! https://www.gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk/the-velveteen-rabbit

🎄✨ Christmas is coming, and there’s magic in the air! ✨🎄 Join us at Gosforth Civic Theatre from 20-22 Dec for balletLORENT’s heartwarming retelling of The Velveteen Rabbit—a perfect festive treat for the whole family, from tiny tots to grandparents. Step into a world where toys come to life, as a boy and his beloved rabbit discover the true meaning of love through enchanting storytelling, music, and dance. With cosy cushions for the little ones to watch up close and a special chance to meet the performers after the show, this is a Christmas memory in the making. Don’t miss it! Book for your family now: https://www.gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk/the-velveteen-rabbit #FestiveFamilyMagic #VelveteenRabbit #ChristmasInNewcastle #gosforth

🎬 Missed last night's Look North? Catch the clip here! We’re thrilled to share a special interview with Geoff Hopson, Caroline Reece, and our Director, Liv Lorent, on BBC Look North. They dive into the joys and challenges of performing on stage at an older age, sharing inspiring insights on the power of experience in the arts. Geoff and Caroline are lighting up the stage this week in our two Snow White productions at Northern Stage, Newcastle—bringing rich storytelling and heartfelt performances to life. #NorthernStage #SnowWhite #LiveTheatre #BBCInterview #TheatreMagic

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balletLORENT

balletLORENT is a leading contemporary dance company based in the UK. balletLORENT is a National Partner of Sadler’s Wells and an Associate Company of Northern Stage, and regularly tour nationally and internationally with wide-ranging and visually stunning productions that appeal to people of all ages and backgrounds. Founded in 1993 by Artistic Director Liv Lorent (MBE), the company creates fantastical, diverse, heartfelt and beautiful dance that is inclusive and inviting.