Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers, and their bitterly antagonistic families meet on stage in a completely new, award-winning version from Ballet Cymru, the Cardiff-based Welsh touring ballet company.
Does Romeo and Juliet end well? Sadly, most of us know the fate of the young lovers, and Jacob Myers—Romeo—and Gwenllian Davies—Juliet—portray them well, with, particularly, Davies shining in the 2nd act.
This small company, founded in 1986, concentrates on the main characters following the story faithfully, using a new recording of Prokofiev’s incredible music by Sinfonia Cymru, pitching us into many emotions from the start. The trio of Montagues, Romeo, Mercutio, danced sparklingly by Kamal Singh and Benvolio, a strong, tough Sanea Singh are in contrast to The Capulets, led by Tybalt, Jacob Hornsey. They are a thug-like band of nasties with metal-like sticks, and the fights, choreographed by Lucy Wordsworth, are stunning, fast-paced and show-stopping.
The choreography by founder Darius James works well, especially in the trio dances—the Montague friends and, later, the two monks and Friar Lawrence, sympathetically and well-danced by Mika George Evans. Juliet’s friend is also well drawn and charming
Back projections work well, but could have been developed further to give a stronger sense of the different locations, and lighting by Chris Illingworth could have been more varied and experimental. Costumes by Georg Meyer-Wiel are apt for some characters, particularly the Capulets and Friar Lawrence.
What makes this Romeo and Juliet worth seeing is how close the fine dancers are and how strong and committed they are, although a cast list would have been really helpful. It feels intimate and intense in Dance City’s theatre.
It is a perfect introduction to both Shakespeare—this story of feuding families and young love is relevant today—and a great way to see ballet. The company has an extensive outreach programme; I’m sure Wales is proud of them!
There are two more chances to catch the show, 6 and 7 December, and to enjoy the lovely Seven Bridges café inside Dance City.
Reviewer: Dora Frankel