ROMEO AND JULIET       A REVIEW    MAY 3RD 2013    RIVERFRONT THEATRE  NEWPORT

Ballet Cymru, Coreo Cymru and Sinfonia Cymru came together last week for the opening night of Romeo and Juliet choreographed by the talented awards winner Darius James.

The story of Romeo And Juliet is a classic tale of love thwarted and tragically lost. It is a play which unleashes uncontrolled emotions from fervour, ardour, passion through to anger, hate, fear, sorrow and regret.

Throughout this very contemporary version of the ballet these emotions are expressed through innovative dance routines, posture, stance and facial expressions supported and harmonised by the gifted young orchestra conducted by Richard Laing. Martial Arts, stick fighting and clog dancing all feature powerfully in this performance.

The backdrop to the performance is the clever and effective use of photography, video and lighting to create all the right moods and symbolism. The use of symbolism is further echoed in the costumes.

In the first act , sweet Juliet played by Emily Pimm Edwards gracefully dances out her hopes and dreams in her shimmering golden cage but the black fronds on her beautiful white dress hint that the path of love may not run smoothly.

The bleak street scene where the Montagues and Capulets conduct their feud has all the colours of hate and anger. The only brightness is in the red costume of Romeo’s loyal friend, Mercutio, symbolising his pivotal role in the ensuing tragedy.

Against this backdrop the dancing turns threatening and confrontational and the violins echo this discordancy. The stick fighting and clog dancing raises the temperature and tempers even further as the stamping and clashing bring the orchestra to a crescendo as they clamour out the Montagues and Capulets theme.

It is a very powerful and skin tingling moment.

The supporting characters in the ballet also contribute to the tragic outcome of the story. Juliet’s parents , dourly dressed , their movements stiff and controlling , their faces hard and unrelenting insist on an arranged marriage.Only when she realises her loss does Lady Capulet soften and display tenderness while her husband stands back,  still stiff and unrepentant.

Friar Lawrence played by Jemma Beatty dances with authority and sympathy while the fluttering white flowers in the corner of the beautiful church suggest a haven of peace and tranquility.

The petite Lydia Armoux (Cerys) is a delight to watch as she dances with all the excitability of youth and we smile at her duet with Romeo (Daniel Morrison) as we detect she is half in love with Romeo herself.

The most compelling part of the ballet, however, is Mercutio’s long dance of death after the treacherous appearance of Tybalt’s forbidden dagger.  It is shocking to watch Daisuke Miura desperately trying to keep a hold on his life as the arrogant Tybalt struts around the stage jeering and wallowing in his enemy’s demise.

The final act brings the darkness full circle and once again we are bathed in white light as Romeo desperately tries to breathe life back into the limp body of Juliet. In his frantic dancing he seems to bring them closer together than ever.

The closing scene with flickering candles leaves us with Romeo and Juliet beautiful in death with their families gathered around the tomb sadly contemplating the outcome of their actions.

It is a fine and fitting cameo piece that brings  the ballet to a sombre yet uplifting conclusion.Love conquers all .Even Death.

                                                                  PATRICIA ROPER