balletLORENT’s new family show The Velveteen Rabbit comes to the Lilian Baylis Studio during the Easter holidays from Friday 5 – Saturday 6 April 2024. Inspired by the book of the same name by Margery Williams, balletLORENT reimagines the 102-year-old classic children’s tale in a dance theatre production for the whole family.
The Velveteen Rabbit sees a nursery of toys come to life through the magic of storytelling, music and dance. In this heartwarming show, a stuffed rabbit and a grown-up boy wonder about the reality of getting older. As shared adventures lead the toy rabbit to grow closer to the young boy who sleeps and plays in the nursery, the pair discover the transformative power of love. In this production, Margery Williams’ tale has been updated to include a new ending and additional characters. The story was first published in Harper’s Bazaar in 1921 and was published as a book in 1922.
Featuring a cast of six dancers, the production is directed by Liv Lorent and narrated by Ben Crompton (Game of Thrones, Pram Face, Ideal). Music is by Dr Who composer Murray Gold and Albie Crompton with lighting design by Malcom Rippeth. Natalie MacGillivray plays the Velveteen Rabbit and Gavin Coward is the Boy. The cast also includes Toby Fitzgibbons, Virginia Scudeletti, Berta Admetlla and Montaine Ponceau.
The Velveteen Rabbit features a tactile and retro set and props, hand-knitted by a group of women from across Newcastle who have taken part in a pilot creative project set up by balletLORENT, under the guidance of fashion designer Nasir Mazhar. Based in the North East of England, balletLORENT is dedicated to creating ambitious, inclusive and high-quality work. The Velveteen Rabbit had its world premiere at The John Marley Centre in Newcastle last November as part of the company’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
Liv Lorent, balletLORENT Artistic Director said “The themes of The Velveteen Rabbit of resilience – and finding how to be real – are timeless and encourages children to be their individual best selves brilliantly. This dance theatre adventure transports us to the escapism of childhood imagination and inhabits a land of magical toys and wild rabbits. It’s a show with 12 dancing characters who are funny, wise and relatable for adults and children alike.”
