Devised by Christopher Gable from Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet
Music: Sergei Prokofiev
Director: Christopher Gable
Choreographer: Massimo Moricone
Northern Ballet’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet by Christopher Gable and Massimo Moricone is one of their most highly received productions. It is a ballet of three acts that tells the tragic story of the two lovers from rival, warring families, the Montagues and the Capulets.
In this production the Capulets are recognisable by their dramatic black and red swirling costumes and are introduced by one of Prokofiev’s best known themes, conveying a sense of menace. This as opposed to the more playful Montagues.
In Act One the two families fight each other in the town square after Tybalt (Harry Skoupas), the nephew of Lord Capulet picks a fight with Romeo (Joseph Taylor).
We meet Juliet (Abigail Prudames) in her bedroom with her nurse (Heather Lehan). A surprise visitor, Count Paris, offers his hand in marriage much to the approval of her parents. That evening Romeo and his two friends Mercutio (Harris Beattie) and Benvolio gate-crash a masked ball at the Capulet’s house. Romeo sees Juliet dancing with Count Paris and is captivated by her. His friend Mercutio tries to distract everyone so Romeo can approach Juliet, but Tybalt recognises Romeo and is ordered to leave. After the ball Juliet goes on to her balcony where Romeo declares his love and offers his hand in marriage.
In Act Two with the help of her nurse and Friar Laurence, Juliet secretly marries Romeo. The Capulets celebrate carnival, displaying their family motif of cats. Another fight breaks out and, in the skirmish, Tybalt kills Mercutio. Romeo then kills Tybalt in revenge.
In Act Three Juliet’s parents are angered that Juliet refuses to marry Count Paris. She goes to the friar for advice who gives her a bottle of medicine that will put her in a death like sleep. She takes the medicine and her parents think she has died. Romeo overcome with grief sees Count Paris in the crypt and believing Juliet to be dead kills Paris then poisons himself. When Juliet awakes from her sleep and sees Romeo is dead, she kills herself. Finally, the two warring families reconcile as they realise the futility of their hatred and rivalry.
The choreography enables the dancers to expresses the story with such emotion and even playfulness. The three friends Romeo, Mercutio and Benvolio communicate their youthful exuberance. Mercutio has energy bursting out of him that will not be stolen even in the throes of his death. The three friends dancing is superb.
Juliet’s nurse is compassionate and amusing in stark contrast to Juliet’s austere mother (Amber Lewis) who sweeps onto the stage cleverly portraying an emotionless woman.
The chemistry between Romeo and Juliet is apparent. The joy and passion when they dance together is so captivating and sensuous. The strength and stamina required seems effortless and is so beautiful. Even when they are dancing apart their love for each other is apparent; be it Romeo’s love sickness or Juliet’s yearning. With every gesture and movement, we share in their tragic love story.
The story is set in Verona and the backdrop of impressive marble pillars immediately transports the audience to Renaissance Italy. The scene changes are marked with small reconfiguration of the pillars, lighting or a simple gossamer curtain.
The very dramatic fight scenes executed with such precision between Romeo and the menacing Tybalt hauntingly echoes the senseless gang warfare that has prevailed over the centuries.
Prokofiev first composed the music for this ballet in 1935 but it was heavily revised for its Soviet premiere in 1940. Performed for this production by the Northern Ballet Sinfonia and led by conductor Daniel Parkinson it indisputably brings the whole ballet to light. Sadly, live music is under threat for touring productions due to funding costs.
As always with the Northern Ballet productions, Romeo & Juliet is a ballet not to be missed. It is exquisite.
Runs until 6 April 2024
The Reviews Hub Score
Exquisite
