UK Theatre Network

Prokofiev was commissioned to write a ballet by the Kirov Theater in 1934. When he proposed Romeo and Juliet as the subject, the Kirov objected stating that “living people can dance, the dying cannot.” Prokofiev next approached the Bolshoi Ballet Theater. After seeing the score in summer 1935 the Bolshoi declared the ballet undanceable. The work only received a premiere on 30 December 1938 at the Brno opera House in Prague. Now the Moscow City Ballet is touring with this famously difficult ballet as one of its productions and quite successfully so.

Natalya Povago’s design presents the Elizabethan era with rich, colourful period costumes, and imaginative drapes evocative of the Renaissance Italian art of the time. As this is a touring production there is only one town square set used for all three acts but the dancers have our imagination design the rest.  

The tragic ending of the play is foretold in a graphic prologue of Romeo, Juliet, Tybalt and Mercutio carried in inverted crucifix by pallbearers from beyond the grave. This tableau is repeated as an epilogue which completes the dramatic circle. The rivalry between the two families is established in the opening scenes with clashes of the two opposing families wearing green and purple. The costume colours act like those of opposing street gangs; with the dancers evoking animosity and cementing the drama of the story from the start. Sergei Zolotarev’s Mercutio is a young, funny swashbuckling hero. In contrast, Tybalt (Danil Orlov) is portrayed as an aggressive, virile, no-nonsense fighter with a deep brotherly love for Juliet, their closeness apparent when he gives a red dress to her that she is wearing throughout much of the performance. Alevtina Lapshina captures the innocence and joy of Juliet perfectly. The scene in Juliet’s bedchamber when she teases her nurse effectively shows her playfulness and youth. The balcony scene – although without a balcony – is enchanting as the two ill-fated lovers seem to fly through the air. When they get married in secret they cannot help kissing each other whilst they should be praying, to the dismay of Friar Lawrence. The tension builds up and Romeo is accidentally responsible for the death of his friend Mercutio as the scenario becomes darker. The dawn parting duet is deeply moving and Romeo’s final dance with Juliet’s seemingly dead body disturbing.

The choreography (Victor Smirnov-Golovanov) is impressive and dramatic through most of the ballet although the exposition is somewhat slow moving. All the main characters are well cast except for Paris (Anton Nosov) who seems very rigid and not quite convincing. The orchestra is conducted by Igor Shavruk.

The Moscow City Ballet will next perform Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty at the Lighthouse (Poole Arts Centre) in Poole from 8^th to 12^th February.