North East-made Rapunzel goes it alone at London awards

A North East-made film has been shortlisted for a major award.

Rapunzel Red, by actor-director Ben Crompton and Alex Ayre, is one of five works in the running for best dance film at the 25th National Dance Awards. It features the talents of actor Lesley Sharp, Dr Who composer Murray Gold and a cast of eight dancers.

The only contender from the region, it is up against works from the Royal Ballet and English National Ballet as well as Venezuelan director Javier de Frutos.

The winner will be announced at a ceremony at The Barbican Centre in London on 9 June 2025.

Shot at Gala Durham in 2024, the 77-minute film is based on Newcastle company balletLORENT’s dance theatre production Rapunzel After Dark, which toured nationally the previous year. Taking the infamous fairytale as its starting point, it was created with adult audiences in mind.

It is available to view on Marquee TV, a global streaming platform for the performing arts.

With choreography by the company’s artistic director, Liv Lorent, and written by former Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, the retelling is framed from Rapunzel’s parents and the Witch's perspectives, delving into desires, love, and loss.

Shot cinematically over four days, it captures intimate struggles that are often missed on stage. Touching on lust, nightmares, and love, it portrays the idealisation of parenthood.

Five shortlisted entries were selected from over thirty nominations by a panel of experts from the Critics’ Circle, including dance reviewers from the major national newspapers.

Last year, Rapunzel Red was named the best dance film at the Beyond the Curve International Film Festival in Paris.

Liv Lorent, artist director, balletLORENT, said: "We’re truly honoured to be shortlisted for this award alongside such exceptional work.  

"Rapunzel Red was a deeply collaborative project, and it means a great deal to see it recognised in this way."

Kylie Lloyd, executive director, balletLORENT, said: "This nomination is a proud moment for the whole team. 

"It reflects the creativity, commitment, and talent that went into making Rapunzel Red, and we’re thrilled to see it acknowledged by the National Dance Awards."