Filmmaker Statement

The Becoming celebrates 30 years of one of Newcastle's most influential contemporary dance companies. It has been created by balletLORENT to mark its landmark anniversary and to share its nationally acclaimed work for free with a wider audience. The film, directed by Game of Thrones actor and comedian Ben Crompton, captures a live performance recorded at Newcastle’s Boiler Shop in January 2023. Choreographed by the company's founder and artistic director Liv Lorent, The Becoming is performed by ten dancers aged from 23 to 59, including two apprentice dancers from Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds. The performance reflects the themes of discovery, rebirth and transformation and incorporates the iconography of dance through the past century. It features costumes by fashion designer Nasir Mazhar and music from Dr Who composer, Murray Gold. It premiered at Tyneside Cinema in June 2023. The film has been funded by Arts Council England.