Movie spotlight
Romeo and Juliet (Royal Ballet)
Given its premiere by The Royal Ballet in 1965 with Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn dancing the title roles, Kenneth MacMillan's first full-evening ballet has become a signature work for the Company, enjoying great popularity around the world. From the outset, the production teems with life and colour as the townspeople, market traders and servants of the rival Montagues and Capulets go about their daily business in vibrant crowd scenes. But Romeo and Juliet take centre stage for those great pas de deux: the meeting in the ballroom, the balcony scene, the morning after the wedding and the final devastating tomb scene. Although The Royal Ballet has performed Romeo and Juliet over 400 times, each performance and pairing is subtly different and Lauren Cuthbertson and Federico Bonelli are utterly captivating in the title roles.
Insights
Plot Summary
This staging of the classic ballet, choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan, brings Shakespeare's tragic tale of forbidden love to life. It follows the passionate romance between Romeo and Juliet, two young lovers from feuding families in Verona. Their secret affair, fraught with danger and societal opposition, ultimately leads to their untimely deaths, highlighting the destructive nature of hate and prejudice.
Critical Reception
The 2013 production of The Royal Ballet's 'Romeo and Juliet' was met with widespread critical acclaim, lauded for its masterful choreography, exquisite staging, and the emotional depth of its principal dancers. Audiences were captivated by the timeless story's powerful interpretation, cementing its status as a beloved ballet production.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for Kenneth MacMillan's iconic and emotionally charged choreography.
Celebrated for the passionate and technically brilliant performances of the lead dancers.
Noted for its evocative set designs and costumes that capture the drama of Verona.
Google audience: Audience reactions often highlight the ballet's powerful storytelling and the emotional impact of the performances. Viewers frequently commend the beauty and tragedy of the narrative, as well as the skill of The Royal Ballet.
Fun Fact
Kenneth MacMillan's 1965 choreography for 'Romeo and Juliet' was a departure from earlier versions, focusing more on psychological realism and the raw emotions of the young lovers, which was groundbreaking for its time.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources