Reviewed by Louise Edwards
Lost Dog are an innovative theatre dance company formed in 2004. They combine storytelling, theatre, dance, comedy and circus with incredible results. Their latest production, Juliet and Romeo, part of a national tour, was shown at the packed-out Nottingham Playhouse theatre last night.
The story goes that Juliet and Romeo, didn’t really die in the Shakespearean romantic tragedy, and they are now in their 40s, living in Paris (after running away from their feuding families) with a young daughter and struggling with their marriage.
Solene Weinachter, plays Juliet with a strong French accent and, Olivier Award nominee, Ben Duke plays Romeo. Duke is also one of the founders of Lost Dog (with artistic collaborator Raquel Meseguer) as well as the writer and director of the performance.
The set is simple and serves as a many venues including therapist’s couch, their Parisian apartment and Juliet’s parents’ home with a mesh screen behind. Lighting, by Jackie Shemesh, goes from being bright to dim depending on the mood.
The action starts as Juliet and Romeo introduce themselves to us. They have tried lots of different therapies to work out what is going on in their marriage and have decided to try acting out scenes from their relationship in front of an audience to see if this will help.
The music is powerful and atmospheric from a variety of artists such as Frank Sinatra, Simon & Garfunkel and Cat Power. There are lots of goosebump moments as they play out their first meeting, uncontrollable passions, early days as sleep deprived parents, miscarriage loss, and sharing confessions, but at first not with each other. All issues that resonate profoundly with the audience.
The whole performance is captivating and enthralling with incredible dance and acting from the talented cast of two. This is a refreshing and original twist on the classic tale. The show runs for 75 minutes without an interval and the performers were joined on stage by BSL interpreter, Clare Edwards.
You will laugh and you will cry at this poignant production – highly recommend, get your tickets now!
Rating: 5/5
Lost Dog are currently on tour with Juliet and Romeo, for more information and tour dates visit lostdogdance.co.uk.
For other shows at the Nottingham Playhouse visit www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk or call the box office on 0115 941 9419.
Nottingham Playhouse, Wellington Circus, Nottingham, NG1 5AF | 0115 941 9419
