Matthew Bourne’s Romeo And Juliet, Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by J Wright
This is a hotly anticipated production touring just 13 theatres for the time being and this week Matthew Bourne’s Romeo and Juliet is here in Sheffield.
Matthew Bourne made his name in contemporary ballet some time ago and became a name synonymous with outstanding ballet productions. Also with the boom of showing production recordings usually on Boxing Day and gathering huge audiences. His productions of classics are well reputed. Which is why this show sold tickets rapidly from the outset and there aren’t many left.
This production is a departure from the outstanding and lavish productions we’ve seen in the past and comes under the title New Adventures. These are productions which are a departure from the norm, like West Side Story is a departure from Romeo and Juliet, the New Adventures are a collection which follow the themes of the original tales in part. And this production is exactly that.
It follows the themes of love, passion, tragedy, youth, authority and control. Set in the Verona Institute, a location within which you’re meant to decide for yourself if this is a secure unit for youths or something else. And there isn’t a time period given though I feel we can extrapolate both. Romeo is committed to the institute where Juliet already resides. His politician parents seemingly content to leave him there. There are no Capulets to speak of. There is authority in the institute and Tybalt is a peculiar guard abusing his position and Juliet. There’s no nurse to speak of, more a composition of the priest and nurse in the role of Reverend and none of the bawdy comedy from that role.
The set is something unexpected, a white tiled institutional space. It serves its purpose well, it is minimalist and clinical. But it lends something a little more nuanced at times with shadows of the dancers and some beautiful reflections when the lighting is just right. The dancers are all over the walls, climbing, balancing, hanging: for the balcony, the moments of threat, the power of authority. It works incredibly well. There are themes in this production which some audience members will find unsettling or disturbing. There’s also an alert outside the auditorium warning about replica weapons being used on stage.
Given the nature of the production revolving around youth this production features a young cast and the corps are fabulous. A few really stood out with superb energy and precision. It’s interesting to note that each dancer has multiple roles against their names indicating more than being understudies of one another but rather a dynamic and interchangeable cast. I would be curious to see all the variations.
The score is so very well known and the outstanding and memorable work of Prokofiev remains perfect in this interpretation. It is especially telling during the dance/ball when the twists of teen longing are soaked in the strains of such compelling music. There’s no missing the intention and this is where Bourne always shines. He tells the story well.
However, if you’re looking for a faithful recreation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet you’ll not find it here. As a production of Romeo and Juliet it diverts away, losing some of the most compelling characters and moments. I would have liked to see Matthew Bourne embrace something closer to the original whilst still bringing his unique vision. Alone it is a thematic and compelling production with superb choreography, set and score. It will dazzle most theatre goers and delight dancers everywhere. This contemporary ballet is evocative modern and tells a story in its own right. It doesn’t need to be named as such, it would have held up under a new name better depicting the stark and bleak venue of this tragic love story.
You can find tickets here or at the box office on 0114 249 6000 .
Rating: 4/5