Rapunzel at The Lowry Review
Rapunzel
The Lowry, Manchester
26-27 April 2014
Reviewed by Laura Parle
As I walked into the the Lowry Theatre with my best friend, we were surrounded by giggling little girls dressed in pretty little tutu’s all excited for their first ballet, Rapunzel. Many of the people waiting to go in were discussing whether it would be a sugary sweet fairy-tale, filled with light and laughter… They couldn’t be more wrong.
Everyone thinks they know the story of Rapunzel, how a beautiful young girl is trapped in a tower, a prince rescues her and the classic ending of they lived happily ever after – well that’s the Disney version but balletLORENT’s interpretation is more akin to the Brothers Grimm tale, it’s dark, brooding and thoroughly enjoyable.
Carol Ann Duffy, the Poet Laureate, is responsible for the beautiful poetic scenarios which help children and adults alike with their understanding of the show, and is narrated Lesley Sharp in her warm and calming tone.
The ballet opens with a beautiful summer scene where villagers of all ages are gathered around a maypole dancing, playing with hula hoops and having fun. The opening scene is there to highlight family happiness and one couple who is yearning to be part of this culture but are unfortunately childless. The first act is taken up with the childless wife’s obsession for a plant, rampion, in the Wicked Witch’s garden. Her husband steals some, but is caught by the witch and has to agree to give her the child once born. The first act ends with Rapunzel being stolen by the Wicked Witch in a very emotional scene. After the interval we are first introduced to Rapunzel who is a young teenager. She is locked away in a tower that only the wicked witch can enter. Rapunzel eventually rebels and meets the prince, they fall in love but the wicked witch finds out and tricks the prince and he becomes blinded. The show is finalised by the prince regaining his sight by the power of Rapunzel’s tears and we are shown that the show has come full circle as both the couple and the witch are once again lonely and childless.
Although the story is one of loss and heartbreak, much of it, will sail safely over the heads of the youngest viewers as the ballet itself is extremely clever telling the basic story, too. The husband stealing from the Witches garden, Rapunzel as a feisty teenager rebelling and the prince rescuing her, are scenes which are lively, entertaining and are backed up with some atmospheric music.
Rapunzel is just shy of 2 hour long so the perfect length to keep children and adults alike entertained. As we walked out of the theatre, I could hear the children exclaiming how beautiful it was and how they wanted to be ballerinas, whereas the adults were talking about how dark and dramatic it was, All in all I would say this ballet is definitely one to watch as it really will capture and enchant every age group.
Rating: 5/5 
balletLORENT is on tour with Rapunzel, for more information visit www.balletlorent.com/rapunzel.html.
The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, Manchester, M50 3AZ | Box Office 0843 208 6000
