Theatre Review: Romeo and Juliet (Northern Ballet)

Romeo and Juilet review: The Northern Ballet’s production featuring the two young star crossed lovers arrives at New Victoria Theatre, Woking as part of its national tour.

Romeo and Juliet review by Katey Thompson, October 2016.

Northern Ballet dancers in Romeo and Juliet. Photo: Andy Ross

The love story of Romeo and Juliet is a well known one that has been seen in many guises on stage and screen over the years. This production of the ballet is one of the most elegantly simple and emotive. As the curtain rises you are left with an impression that this is not going to be all twirls and tutus – a stark white set is lit with a cathedral silhouette while the opening credits roll putting the producers and dancers names up in light; it feels more like a movie than a ballet.

The impact of the contrast of the dancer’s outfits, the Montagues in cream and white cast against the Capulets in black is separated only by the brightness of Juliet’s golds; Rosalines (Ayami Miyata) petrol blue and the cleverly uniting black and white of Friar Lawrence  (Joseph Taylor) . The use of silk scarves as figurative playthings as well as dramatic blood-soaked rags added a focus to the scenes as well as a splash of colour.

Northern Ballet dancers in Les Ballets de Monte Carlo’s Romeo and Juliet. Photo: Andy Ross

The dancing by the cast was stunning to watch as they pirouetted and leapt across the stage. The nurse (Pippa Moore) was very expressive with her movements creating an almost comic marionette-like effect at times as she waited on Juliet (Dreda Blow) when she heard that she was to marry Paris (Jesse Milligan).

The scenes effortlessly flowed from one to the next due to the scenery being very simple but is used very effectively along with the lighting to create the different spaces of this well know story – from the street, to a ballroom, the balcony and bedroom.  The music written by Sergei Prokofiev is beautiful to listen to and carries you along with the emotions that the dancers on the stage depict.

Northern Ballet dancers in Romeo and Juliet. Photo: Andy Ross

Only the occasional cast members’ cape and a stray feather were the slight distractions from an otherwise flawless production. This is a beautifully presented ballet that seamlessly carries you through the emotional story that is Romeo and Juliet, one to be recommended to anyone who enjoys the tale of two star crossed lovers.

Romeo and Juliet review, Katey Thompson.

Romeo and Juliet  is running at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking until 8th October, 2016.