Prokofiev’s fiery, passionate, richly emotional ballet score for "Romeo and Juliet" was completed for the Kirov in 1935. Polish choreographer Krzysztof Pastor and Dutch dramaturg Willem Bruls use this key date and turbulent period in European history as a starting point for their pared down 20th century, time -travelling version of Shakespeare’s tale.
First staged in 2008, this revival by Scottish Ballet is a polished, pure pearl of a production. The opening black and white film backdrop illustrates 1930s Italian city life, all gleaming vintage cars and glamorous people. The street scene comes alive on stage, the period and fashion beautifully reflected in sepia, black and grey tones.
A young crowd are out on their evening Passiegata stroll, boy eyes girl, friends gather, military fascists observe, the Capulet and Montague families collide, while an underlying threat of political and social tension lingers in the air.
The Capulet ball is a magnificent scene dominated at first by the cool presence of Signora Capulet, dressed in flowing black velvet. Partnered by Capulet, she leads the grand processional dance with their line up of guests; pace and timing is immaculate in tune with Prokofiev’s strident chords.
Juliet, tiny and childlike, emerges amongst the party guests for her sweet brief encounter with handsome tall Romeo. Their Balcony scene pas de deux sequence of fluent, flowing moves is a dancing partnership of sheer grace.
Act 2 shifts the action forward to the 1960s, the carefree, La Dolce Vita society of beauty and romance, where the girls parade the streets in pretty crimson dresses to meet smart young men. But red is the sign of danger pre-empting tragedy, murder and blood on Romeo’s hands. The narrative of the young lovers’ tragedy is then told against contemporary film footage of terrorism, riots and war to put the story of family feud in the context of racial and political conflict today.
Visually this is a stunning production, the combination of design, film, costumes and the seamless blend of classical ballet, street dance and intimate embrace. Erik Cavallari and Sophie Martin are simply delightful together, expressing real feelings of innocent teenage love to create a romantic, sassy, sexy re-telling of the Romeo and Juliet story.
Scottish Ballet on tour:
Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 28th April to 1st May
His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen, 5th - 8th May
Eden Court, 12th - 15th May
Grand Opear House, 19th - 22nd May.