(AD – PRESS NIGHT) MATTHEW BOURNE’S ROMEO & JULIET REVIEW
HULL NEW THEATRE
TUESDAY 25TH JULY 2023 @ 7.30PM
***** 5/5
A night at the ballet is always a real treat, especially when New Adventures, Sir Matthew Bourne’s company, is in town. He’s one of my favourite choreographers of all time so I was never going to miss this press night! Here’s my Matthew Bourne’s Romeo & Juliet review.
PRE-SHOW THOUGHTS
This would be the third Sir Matthew Bourne production I’ve seen, following Swan Lake and The Midnight Bell. As I said above, I’ve been a fan of Bourne’s for years as he’s always been ahead of his time. With a Bourne ballet, it’s best to expect the unexpected. It’s always far from a traditional ballet in terms of choreography but he’s always kept the music traditional. I’ve always loved the contrast between classical music and contemporary ballet/dance.
THE CAST
Despite it being Romeo & Juliet, this really is more of an ensemble piece. Of course, the leads shine but the collection of dancers on stage at any one time was mesmerising.
Paris Fitzpatrick and Monique Jonas as Romeo & Juliet are two of the longest-standing New Adventures members, having joined in 2017 and 2019 respectively. The chemistry and connection between these two was off the charts and their emotions really did fill the room. You felt every emotion through every move, whether it was a spectacular lift or a look across the stage. Fitzpatrick has played Romeo on a previous tour and you can tell he feels so comfortable in this role, owning it. Jonas plays Juliet’s naivety very well throughout but she’s so much more than just Romeo’s love interest in Bourne’s version.
Sam Archer as Tybalt is utterly terrifying as he’s portrayed as the typical masculine, strong villain. He doesn’t have as much time on stage as the ensemble but he certainly captures your attention when he does. He has such a menacing presence, although I’m sure he’s lovely in real life!
A personal highlight of mine was seeing same-sex relationships being portrayed, unheard of in traditional ballet performances. Rory MacLeod as Mercutio and Jackson Fisch as Balthasar played off each other perfectly. Strong yet soft and once again, their connection is unreal!
The rest of this cast of 12 dancers are exceptional dancers and typical Bourne dancers: strong, emotive, quirky, and fresh. These really are some of the most talented young dancers in the country.
THE CHOREOGRAPHY
I couldn’t review a dance show without giving a special nod to its choreography. I hesitate to call it a ballet because it’s much more contemporary, with a handful of ballet influences sprinkled throughout. However, contemporary dance suits the score and storyline very well as it is much more expressive. I particularly enjoyed the way it looked visually on stage, through both movement and formations. It definitely told the story, with more structured moves when being watched by staff to more fluidity and sexiness when alone.
One of my favourite parts is that the cast members enjoy a mix of solo dancing, pas de deuxs, and ensemble sections. They have to be able to dance with anyone, which is definitely a challenge for any dancer. It’s a difficult score to dance to musically but the choreography is so well suited to it.
I always enjoy Bourne’s choreography because, in traditional ballet pieces, the men mostly lift, turn or leap. In Bourne’s shows, every dancer is expected to move from head to toe across the stage. Sure, there are lifts and jumps in the appropriate places but for me, it’s the intricacy that makes it even more stunning. Think Fosse mixed with contemporary dance. Bourne takes influence from all types of dance and makes it into his own style.
THE STORY
Obviously, I know the story of Romeo & Juliet but I wasn’t sure what Bourne would do with it as it’s very old-fashioned. This production is set in what looks like a mental institution or hospital for young people, but it could equally be a prison. It gives the impression that they are sent there as individuals so they conform to what is expected of them in the real world. Of course, there’s romance in there but it’s moreso about freedom and expression.
There are definitely some parts of this show not for the faint-hearted, with strangulation, gunshots, and stabbings featured. However, all of it is in-keeping with the story but it still has the shock factor.
THE PRODUCTION
The set of white-tiled walls and metal staircase and walkways give this production an even more clinical feel. That’s why the choreography really brings it to life! I’m also a big fan of simplistic sets in dance productions because let’s face it, we’re all there to watch the dancing! There were minimal props, just the use of chairs, beds, and an occasional desk. I have to say that the chair-ography and bed-ography (not words but there are fitting here) were sensational. I didn’t know you could move in such ways on/under/around a chair or bed!
Prokofiev’s score is as dramatic as I remember yet it feels very modern when paired with this choreography. People will recognise Dance of the Knights (it’s the theme tune for The Apprentice) but it’s certainly not danced to like it is at the Royal Ballet. Not a pointe shoe or tutu in sight anywhere in this production. Speaking of costumes, the ensemble wear white casualwear for the most part, and it also fits in with the uniformity of the storyline.
The only slight nitpick for me is that I would’ve loved for there to have been a live orchestra, rather than a recording. However, I still thought the sound filled the room.
FINAL THOUGHTS
As soon as I walked out of the theatre, all I could think to say is WOW. This piece is heartbreaking, thought-provoking, funny, thrilling, challenging, and massively relevant. It pushes the boundaries of dance, which every Bourne production does. I was disappointed to see a group of ladies in front of us not return after the interval but maybe, they were expecting lovey-dovey Romeo & Juliet, not this grittier version. For me though, I love theatre that makes me feel something.
If you get a chance to see this production on tour, please do. If you’re a fan of theatre that is full of talented people and emotion, this is for you! Enjoyed Matthew Bourne’s Romeo & Juliet review? You can find my other theatre reviews here. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram for more stagey trips!
