Ballet Excellence: Romeo & Juilet

Northern Ballet is prolific when it comes to creating new ballets, and apart from the seasonal Nutcracker, the classics feature relatively infrequently: Giselle in 2011 and a characteristically different adaptation of Swan Lake in 2016. Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet is an iconic ballet, much loved and performed around the world. Northern Ballet’s interpretation was originally adapted by Christopher Gable CBE and Massimo Moricone in 1991, premiering in 1992. It was performed again in 2001 but hasn’t been seen since then. Having just watched their current production, I’m not sure why that is, but I’m thrilled it’s back on stage—it’s a thing of beauty from the moment the lights go down.

The scene opens with townspeople happily going about their daily business until the heads of the rival Montague and Capulet families enter the scene. These elderly men are burdened with an animosity so old that neither remembers what caused it in the first place. The ensuing fight is not one of honour and dignity but a ridiculous posturing in which they barely have the strength to wield their weighty swords, yet one that leads to a shocking tragedy among the innocent bystanders.

Knowing the story well, I was fully prepared for the tragedy, the frustration of pointless conflict, and the regret of knowing that if only people waited just a moment longer before taking irreversible action, things could work out alright. What I wasn’t prepared for, though, was the sheer joy that makes up so many parts of the ballet. The joy of being young, strong, and beautiful, the joy of falling in love for the first time, and the joy of having that love reciprocated.

Romeo and his friends delight in their youthful freedom, leaping and laughing, teasing each other, and flirting with the girls. They are all unrepressed adolescent testosterone. Aaron Kok’s exuberant Mercutio is a highlight; as the jester of the group, his habit of tormenting his friends by pretending to be injured or ill is a nod to his eventual fate that keeps the audience from enjoying his antics to the full. 

Dominique Larose is a luminous Juliet. At first depicted as a sweet, mischievous, and slightly vain young girl, her transformation into a resolute young woman by her headlong fall for Romeo is utterly convincing. The lightness of her movements throughout belies the physical and mental strength and control that are required of all dancers. Her scenes with Joseph Taylor’s Romeo were quite simply beautiful. At times, they seemed to melt together as their newfound love and ensuing marriage quite literally turned them into one being.

Another mention has to go to Heather Lehan as the nurse. As a figure of comedy in the play, she also represents something stronger than that. A reliable, safe presence for Juliet, a woman whose love for her charge leads her into dangerous territory. Even if some of her actions are ill-advised, they are performed with bravery, selflessness, and the best of intentions. 

The only off-note for me in the ballet is the scene where the nurse delivers Juliet’s letter to Romeo. Coming among this group of young men, she’s subjected to harassment and intimidation by them, and it’s played for laughs. In our current climate, where we are all aware of the abuse that many women and girls experience every day, the excuse of boys just having a bit of fun just doesn’t wash any more. I was surprised that with this revived production, Northern Ballet didn’t take the opportunity to revisit this scene. Although I’m not arguing for a rewrite of original texts—this is what’s written in Shakespeare’s play, after all—we need to hold these moments up for scrutiny.

The Romeo & Juliet set and costumes were damaged in the Leeds floods of 2015, and Northern Ballet has been raising funds to repair and replace them over the last 18 months. The costumes produced by NB’s talented team are, predictably, exquisite. The colour and texture of every garment are carefully designed to reflect and represent the different characters within the story. 

The Montagues wear light, vibrant colours, full of life and laughter. In stark contrast, the Capulet family stalks onto the stage in stiff black, blood-red silk-lined costumes. They mean business. 

Northern Ballet Sinfonia accompanied the ballet, performing Prokofiev’s gorgeous score with warmth and passion. Taking our seats for the performance, we chatted quietly with half an ear to the orchestra warming up, a factor that is such an integral part of the anticipation felt whilst waiting for the curtain to rise. Many people will feel strongly about the loss of the live orchestra as a result of the difficult decisions made regarding Northern Ballet Sinfonia's future.

The familiarity of the Romeo & Juliet story makes this a particularly accessible ballet. The narrative is straightforward, and the twists are well-known. Despite the tragic outcome, I wouldn’t hesitate to take a child to this production. 

Northern Ballet’s production of Romeo and Juliet takes you on an emotional roller-coaster. Like all the best productions, it leaves you wanting more, and if you can, revisiting pays dividends. There’s so much to take in that it’s genuinely impossible to do it justice by only seeing it once. If you’ve been thinking about booking tickets, stop thinking and do it.

If you miss out this time around, you could find yourself waiting another 20 years!

Northern Ballet's production of Romeo & Juliet is on at Leeds Grand Theatre until 16th March. More information here