The Northern Ballet performs a bold reimagining of Shakespeare's classic Romeo and Juliet, at Woking Theatre until October 8. Patricia McNamee deeply enjoyed this poetic interpretation giving the performance 4.5 STARS
The Northern Ballet performance of Romeo and Juliet combined the classic Shakespeare tale of star crossed lovers with an edgy modernity. The performance is startling and intense throughout.
Friar Lawrence is the connecting thread, presented as a series flash backs, we are taken through the events that lead to the final tragedy. The choreography is inspired and uses the phrasing of the music to great effect, adding piquancy to the flow of the movement and heightening the tension between the characters. The use of freeze frame, pauses and slow motion helped to accentuate the amazing leg extensions and beautiful body shapes of the dancers.
Dreda Blow (Juliet) managed to convey both the truculent coquettishness of a teenager and the pure passion that is first true love. Tobias Batley as Romeo leaps well throughout as a cavalier young man and manages a seamless transition into an ardent lover.
The entwining of hands was extremely effective conjuring the sensual intimacy between Romeo and Juliet. Lady Capulet was danced by Hannah Bateman who portrayed a strong matriarchal character full of expression. Pippa Moore was exceptional as the nurse adding humour to begin with but her grief in the final scene was well expressed too. Tybalt, danced by Mlindi Kulashe, was energetic and aggressive in just the right measure; he was the embodiment of the alpha male.
The set design and lighting were simple but the combination made you focus on the dancers and less was definitely more. Jean-Christophe Maillots who is currently the head of the renowned Les Ballets de Monte Carlos has re-imagined this epic tale and created an accessible and very modern version of the dance whilst retaining all the classic features.
A perfect symmetry of old and new, movement and stillness.
For tickets visit atgtickets.com
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