Matthew Bourne's New Adventures: Romeo & Juliet

Lizz Page 4 September 2019

Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures ballet company is something of a marvel. Giving life changing opportunities to young dancers across the UK, his creations are breathtaking versions of classic and well loved tales from Sleeping Beauty to Edward Scissorhands. Set and costumes are innovative, and the dancing strong, graceful and imaginative.

This is never truer than with his new production Romeo And Juliet, a modern interpretation set in a white tiled institution in Verona which appears to be a home for troubled teens. The company for this performance are all very young, with some from local haunts such as Bury St Edmunds; picked from 1000 who auditioned, just five were picked for this Norwich run, and they only had a week to rehearse. Bourne’s usual crack team of designers had young students assisting and learning from them as well, meaning that this particular tale of Romeo And Juliet, always centred on young love and anger, is absolutely centred in the world of youth.

Unusually this ballet has only one set, but it’s cleverly done, with atmospheric high walls and the occasional table, bed or chair, making it feel very claustrophobic. The dancers are all in white pretty much throughout, and I don’t see one pair of ballet shoes all night; they’re in bare feet, trainers, jeans, sports bras and pants, making this ballet feel very real.

We are treated to an excellent accompaniment from a live orchestra, and for me the first scene of the ballet, with the well known thumping, vicious Montagues And Capulets from Prokoviev, and the dancers marching on stage giving me full on goosebumps and setting the scene for the rest of the ballet.

The story has been quite changed in this production. There is no gang war, and no familial wars. Instead the baddie is Tybalt, the prison guard. Romeo And Juliet fall in love, fight against the pressure and constraints of the institution to be together, ending tragically, of course. The character acting is superb as always with this company, but for me it’s Paris Fitzpatrick as Romeo who stands out the most, incredible as a dancer and as an actor both; his style is by turns awkward, smooth and passionate. Great things to come from him in the future. Company dancers Sharol Mackenzie and Bryony Harrison also shone, and Danny Collins played the wild Mercutio to perfection.

Overall, this is a very different story to the original Romeo And Juliet, it’s chillingly haunting, full of anxiety and constraint vs teenage emotions. I was emotionally exhausted by the end, from the intensity and the stirring music. Another memorable and innovative ballet from Sir Matthew Bourne. Long may he reign.