By Michelle Rawlins
Romeo and Juliet is a consistently popular choice for artistic adaptations, so it’s always intriguing to see how theatre companies put their own creative spin on the star-crossed young lovers.
Northern Ballet’s latest revival of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy doesn’t disappoint, with their exciting and thrilling take on the warring Capulets and Montagues.
As you would expect from this Leeds based company (who lost all their original sets and costumes in devastating flood in 2015) the choreography is striking. The newly designed costumes are sublime and the stunning storytelling emotively charged.
Director Christopher Gable has perfectly blended the tragedy and heartache with the more comedic elements, revealing the light and dark of this 14th century story.
There’s the cheeky playfulness of the raucous and energetic Mercutio (Kevin Poeung) to the emotively charged duet, that leaves Paris, Juliet’s assumed suitor, dead, intensifying the deep-rooted divide between the two families.
The atmosphere is elevated by Sergei Prokofiev’s magnificent and famous score. It’s beautifully performed live by the Northern Ballet Sinfonia (that is now under threat due to financial restraints) and exquisitely enhances this perfectly polished production. This, coupled with Massimo Moricone’s powerful and poignant choreography, showcases the stellar skill set of the dancers. They totally embody the emotion and drama, effectively transporting the audience back to a troubled Verona.
The richly devised costumes reveal the inherited power of the wealthy Capulets. Heavy heavy, red, gold, and black cloaks are startling contrasts to the rags of the Montagues. Added to this is the deliciously, dark Dance of the Knights, helping to epitomise the dangerous power Juliet’s family hold.
Saeka Shirai deserves high praise for her ability to take on such a huge role as Juliet. It saw her barely leave the stage during the three acts, which lasted nearly two and a half hours. Shirai’s flawless performance perfectly captured the youth and innocence of the virginal, lovestruck, Juliet. She seamlessly adapts the transition from having fun with her nurse as a child, to heart rendering emotion as her fated love for Romeo unfolds.
Harris Beattie makes for a mesmerising Romeo. From the moment he sets eyes on Juliet, the rest of the world freezes, their eyes locked. As the traditional story develops, Beattie convincingly displays the torturous angst of a teenager fighting to be with the girl who has stolen his heart.
This story has proven itself time and time again, that more that 400 years after Shakespeare put ink to parchment, it has stood the test of time. This latest, pacy and striking, adaptation, reveals there is always room for a bold and innovative take on Romeo and Juliet that can successfully breathe new life into this oft-told story and enthral new and old audiences alike.
Romeo and Juliet is showing until April 6, then touring
Tickets here
Photos by Emily Nuttall