This re-imagining of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the timeless story of forbidden love, is taken to new heights by Matthew Bourne.
Set in the Verona Institute, the young inmates are drugged and made to conform.
This conformity is demonstrated perfectly when the cast march in perfect timing and with so much energy to Prokofiev’s Dance of the Knights.
Juliet, played by Cordelia Braithwaite, soon catches the eye of guard Tybalt, played by Richard Winsor. He pursues her relentlessly, and you can feel the palpable tension as Juliet shuns his advances.
Romeo, played by Paris Fitzpatrick, enters the building with his parents, Senator and Mrs Montague, played by Andrew Monaghan and Daisy May Kemp. His parents are more interested in their public appearances and making a good impression, than their son, who is clearly struggling.
When his parents are shown around the unforgiving building, Romeo encounters Mercutio, Balthasar and Benvolio, who ‘transform’ him into an inmate.
Lez Brotherston’s mainly white set, with gleaming tiles reflecting the dancers’ movements, has inmates segregated into ‘boys’ and ‘girls’ with a sweeping staircase to either side.
Every part of the set is used to dramatic effect, with dancers teetering on the edge of the balcony at times, and climbing up the ladders to become almost part of the scenery.
Romeo soon meets Juliet, and their courtship ensues.
The scene with the mirror ball, where the inmates dress casually and are encouraged to be themselves, is when the romance begins. A scene depicting love at first sight, with Romeo and Juliet looking into each others eyes whilst the world goes on around them, is captured beautifully.
When Romeo and Juliet are alone, they really let their emotions run wild, twisting and turning and discovering each other in loving embraces.
When the other inmates find out, they are happy for them, celebrating their love by lifting them mid-air whilst Romeo and Juliet dance towards each other with their movements almost in freeze frame, which is just entrancing to watch.
Tybalt enters, drunk and full of rage and everything changes,. It is then that the terrible tragedy occurs.
This production tackles so many issues faced by today’s young people including mental health, which many productions shy away from. It is executed so well by such a talented young company, with many making their professional debut.
The energy is electric amongst this young cast, with each dance performed with such vibrancy.
ROMEO AND JULIET Director and Choreographer – Matthew Bourne, Designer – Lez Brotherston, Lighting – Paule Constable, Rehearsal Images, Three Mills, London, 2023, Curve Theatre, UK.
Romeo and Juliet is at Curve until Saturday 8 July.
Tickets £10 – £59.50.
