Review: Matthew Bourne’s Romeo and Juliet at The Lowry Theatre*

[Ad-gifted] Come and read one of our most special theatre reviews!  That of the Matthew Bourne production of Romeo + Juliet at The Lowry Theatre in Salford Quays.

This for me has been a much-awaited invite to watch another of Matthew Bourne’s shows (via New Adventures). We last had the opportunity when we saw The Red Shoes, which I still find myself talking about when I discuss reviews I’ve had the chance to see.

Well, our latest blog post will let you in on his new adaptation of Romeo + Juliet, a modern re-imagining with elements of classical through the music by composer Sergei Prokofiev and performed at the Lyric Stage of The Lowry.

What I thought of the Re-imagined Ballet

When you come to see Matthew Bourne, you know you are going to get the quality of dancing you might find at a classical ballet, however, Matthew Bourne’s productions use more contemporary ballet/dance. You will experience dancing you may not have seen before with a plethora of new elements carefully choreographed and incorporated into more traditional ones, to create a spectacular event.

Unusually, I am starting with the set, as this seems the most obvious way to set the scene of the show. Let me bring you inside the Verona Institute – which appears to be a sanatorium, potentially a prison or a place where they keep people that go against societal norms (I felt more inclined with the latter).

It is decorated like a Victorian Asylum with shiny metro tiles on the walls and white prison bars. The colours of both the set on the costumes are mainly monochrome and in shades of white and cream. All of this adds to the curiosity that Matthew Bourne has tried to create for this unbelievably visual performance.

The lighting is also a key feature – something I noticed in The Red Shoes, were the shadows that were created on the sets often added eery elements or ways to show movement in something that may otherwise appear stationary – well Romeo + Juliet was no different – there was certainly a strong use of sharp lighting that created a range of shadows throughout. They are so effective and give such depth to what otherwise could appear a fairly simple set.

Now to the dancers; the introduction starts with dancers accompanied by music Dance of the Knights (please search this and listen whilst you read) and unlike the soft steps in the classic ballet, this has such energy and huge movement. It’s intoxicating. This sets the scene where you see the collection of people trapped within the Verona Institute’s walls.

Romeo (P. Fitzpatrick) + Juliet (C. Braithwaite) have such illuminating chemistry and the way in which their intimate moments have been choreographed creates such butterflies from their everlasting kiss to their connection during their one night together. The movements are so perfectly connected, which makes for such beautiful scenes.

What is also interesting is the context to which this modern re-imaging has taken. You can never work out if the people inside the Institue are mad or not – there are moments of uncertainly especially with the character of Juliet but most of the other characters, some gay, lesbian, fluid, or simply misunderstood, do not appear to have any unstable characteristics but just that they perhaps don’t conform. The topic around non-conformism/differences of expression is so prevalent today and a topic that often isn’t touched upon in a way that isn’t as a token gesture. The way in which it has been incorporated into Matthew Bourne’s Production is so fitting and feels right to tell this version of the story using these plights.

Finally, the music, not being played with a live orchestra but being produced and orchestrated in a studio using classical instruments gives the modern edge you often find with a Bourne production. What’s amazing is how it appears to be coming out of the speakers in the (possible) sanatorium (asylum) where you might hear announcements for the prisoners to hear. This just epitomises the thought that Matthew Bourne puts into his productions and what makes them stand out amongst other things you might see.

This is a must-see show and if you can’t get to it this time – please look out for other Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures Productions that quite often feature at The Lowry.

You won’t be disappointed and I was accompanied by my eldest daughter aged 14 who also had a fabulous evening!

Cast List (on the night)

Romeo – Paris Fitzpatrick
Juliet – Cordelia Braithwaite
Tybalt – Danny Reubens
Mercutio – Rory Macleod
Balthasar – Jackson Fisch
Benvolio – Euan Garrett
Rev. Bernadette Laurence – Daisy May Kemp
Mrs Montague & Nurse
Senator Montague – Andrew Monaghan
Guard & Orderly
Frenchie – Anya Ferdinand
Dorcas – Bryony Pennington
Magdalen – Monique Jonas
& Governor Esculas
Lavina – Tasha Chu
Morgan – Tanisha Addicott
Martha – Carla Contini
Edmund – Matthew Amos
Lennox – Enrique Ngbokota
Sebastian – Leonard Mccorkindale
Fabian – Adam Davies
Faith – Hannah Kremer