Romeo and Juliet is the classic tale by William Shakespeare of two young lovers who, because of the warring between their two families, cannot be together. One of the grandest tragedy tales written, it would be well suited to a soap opera as well as a ballet performance.
Kenneth MacMillan directed the choreography for this stunning ballet production, and he is able to clearly show how this love develops between Romeo and Juliet, and how it is something that is truly worth dying for.
In the first Act we meet the protagonists, and Romeo and Juliet could not seem much less destined to fall deeply in true love with one another. Romeo is getting into street brawls, while Juliet seems more suited for playing with her doll than getting involved in romance. Her coyness in front of her potential suitor would suggest that even Romeo would struggle to seduce her.
But the dancers are able to convey the passion of the story to the watcher, thanks in no small part to the excellent choreography of MacMillan. Carlos Acosta, as Romeo, takes us through the bravado brought on by youth, through to the anguish on hearing his love is dead, and is grand throughout.
It is Tamara Rojo as Juliet however that steals the show. When she dances dejectedly at her realisation that she must be betrothed to a man other than her true love, it brings a lump to the throat. And when she whirls with passion around the torso and pelvis of Romeo, she makes it seem so simple, belying the demanding work required.
The performances of the lead actor and actress support this first full-length work of MacMillan, making this modern approach to a classic tale one well worth seeing, if you can get tickets.
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