UK Theatre Network

Northern Ballet Theatre

Wuthering Heights

Directed by David Nixon

Reviewed by Louise Winter at Milton Keynes Theatre on Tuesday 5^th May 2009.

2009 is the 40^th anniversary of NBT and David Nixon’s first creation for the company, Wuthering Heights, has been revived for this celebration. This is one of the greatest literary love stories and well suited to NBT’s narrative style. The sweeping score of Claude-Michel Schönberg, the choreography of Nixon and the perfect performances of the artists make this a really splendid production; passionate, exciting, lyrical, and ultimately deeply moving.

Schönberg, whose other works include Les Miserables and Miss Saigon, has composed a powerful and evocative score. He states that while composing Wuthering Heights it ‘felt like the characters (…) were talking to me,’ ‘the music came very quickly, almost violently, the story flooding out’. Although difficult to express in words, it does feel as if the music embodies the characters and vice versa. There is a wholeness and synchronicity between all elements of the production - the music, the artists, the choreography and the set.

The strong, dramatic opening scene, where Heathcliff rages upon the moor, tormented by memories, is utterly compelling and sets up the rest of the ballet; the passion and anguish of this scene runs throughout the two acts and is never far below the surface.

It is rather unfair to single out performers as NBT’s are all excellent but Kenneth Tindall is superb as Heathcliff. He expertly portrays brooding jealousy, sexuality, love, tenderness, the loss and the pain felt by his character. He is not only a strong, powerful dancer but an engaging actor. Opposite him as Cathy, was Keiko Amemori, who matched Tindall in all aspects of her performance. Amemori is also a beautiful dancer and actor and well able to portray the expression and emotion needed for the character of Cathy with conviction and honesty.

This is indeed one of the traits of NBT; the artists are fully rounded performers. Too often in ballets or operas, performers may be skilled in their discipline but unable to deliver the story. NBT has artists of the highest calibre, which enables the company to powerfully deliver these engaging, narrative works.

All the artists embrace Nixon’s choreography which demands athleticism and strength. Overall it has an energetic and dynamic structure; there are several one armed lifts for Heathcliff and a great deal of fast paced and complicated entwinings between Heathcliff and Cathy, and briefly between Heathcliff and Isabella. Where the brilliance of the choreography is most noticeable though is in the transitions between the young Heathcliff and Cathy, superbly played by Ben Mitchell and Ayana Kanda, and the more mature pair. These moments are beautifully arranged and bring to light the contrast between the two pairs.

In fact the whole production is one of contrasts; between young and mature; between innocence and experience; between the passion of Heathcliff and Cathy, and the rather more sedate relationship of Cathy and Edgar; between the desolation of the moor and Wuthering Heights, and the opulence and grandeur of Thrushcross Grange.

Enabling these contrasts is not only the music and the choreography but also the staging and the scenery, which are stylish and effective; quite minimal mostly and positivly sparse in places the focus is on the narrative and the artists – as it should be.

This beautiful production vividly brings to the stage an emotional and romantic story with drama, and indeed melodrama at times; with energy, integrity and vibrancy. A solid production in all areas and highly recommended.

Wuthering Heights plays Milton Keynes Theatre until 9 May 2009. Milton Keynes Theatre Box Office 0870 060 6652 (bkg fee).

www.miltonkeynestheatre.com. For details of further tour dates www.northernballettheatre.co.uk

Reviewed by Louise Winter at Milton Keynes Theatre on Tuesday 5^th May 2009 on behalf of Catherine Brian.