Northern Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet – Leeds Playhouse

Music: Sergei Prokofiev

Director: Christopher Gable CBE

Choreographer: Massimo Moricone

This was the opening night of the final performances of Northern Ballet’s spring tour and an absolutely packed house were treated to a magical evening of ballet, drama and storytelling that is a Northern Ballet classic in every sense of the word. It was a real privilege to be present at this tour de force of passion, artistry and intensity as Shakespeare’s timeless tale of doomed lovers unfolds in all its tragic glory.

This ballet demands strong central performances and its reputation will ultimately live or die on the strength of the two soloists. Here there may be no worry as Saeka Shirai (Juliet) and Harris Beattie (Romeo) danced beautifully together and exhibited a real chemistry. Their various pas de deux are full of heartfelt emotion and they portray the essence of the story with no amount of grace and skill. From the moment they first set eyes on each other at the Capulet’s Ball to their doomed tragic finale in the Capulet’s crypt the audience is left in no doubt as to their love and total devotion to each other. These iconic roles are so firmly rooted in the public’s consciousness from all the countless productions, transformations (think Baz Luhrmann, West Side Story and & Juliet among others) and adaptations that we all have an idea how they should be and act and respond. Juliet is young and impressionable, Romeo is headstrong, impulsive and romantic and easily prone to falling in love, their relationship is destined to fail from the start yet might have succeeded in other circumstances and if fate had not taken a hand. Such is the world of Shakespeare’s imagination and we are all the more richer for it.

Other pivotal roles are beautifully realised. Yu Wakiuzuka makes for a very engaging Mercutio, Romeo’s best friend. He really brings out his humour and happy-go-lucky outlook on life which makes his ultimate demise at the hands of Tybalt (George Liang) all the more emotional and powerful. Liang quickly establishes Tybalt’s vanity and pride as leader of the Capulet gang and is always prone to drawing his sword in leading the battles in their long running feud against the Montagues. Harriet Marden makes for a very motherly and caring Nurse, who works in the Capulet household and has cared for Juliet since she was a baby. She passes letters between Romeo and Juliet (her efforts at this whist being distracted by the antics of Romeo’s friends are humorously realised) and is the person who Juliet confides in the most.

Lez Brotherston’s original production design is gloriously restored in this revival and transports the audience back to the streets and grand settings of Verona in sixteenth century Italy. Choreography, costumes and lighting all combine to startling effect and the climax to Act 11, when the threatening storm finally breaks and after the tragic deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt, is stunning. Prokofiev’s evocative and memorable score is not performed live but recorded by the Orchestra of the Slovak National Theatre and has never sounded better.

This is a raw and emotionally charged adaptation of Shakespeare’s masterpiece that breathes new life into it. Universally beloved by theatre goers and critically acclaimed it does not disappoint and whether you are a seasoned Shakespeare aficionado or a complete beginner it is recommended that you see it while you can.

Runs until 21st June 2025