Matthew Bourne's critically acclaimed production of Romeo and Juliet is at Milton Keynes Theatre this week, playing to packed houses with many of the original 2019 cast reprising their roles.
Bourne is known for his edgy contemporary re-imagining of classic ballets and he's taken Prokofiev’s famous music - you'll recognise it from the theme to The Apprentice - and Shakespeare's most iconic story and managed to turn it into something totally fresh and very relevant.
This is a production that's both thought-provoking and captivating, telling the story entirely through movement
The plot still centres on the struggles of two young lovers confined by a society that aims to keep them apart, but now it's set in a secure psychiatric institution - the Verona Institute, a stark and clinical environment that's somewhere between an asylum and a youth detention center. The warring families of the original story are replaced by the segregated genders of the facility with the performers all dressed in white and dancing around metal beds, white tiled walls, security fences and staircases that don't really go anywhere.
Bourne doesn't pull any punches and there's some disturbing scenes of institutionalised sexual harrassment and violence, making it feel very relevant to today's big issues, but at the heart of it is the love story between the goofy, awkward Romeo (Paris Fitzpatrick) and the confident, rebellious Juliet (Cordelia Braithwaite). There's an amazing chemistry between the pair from their first encounter at a dance under a giant disco ball with the rest of the world fading into the dark background as they dance under the lights. Their iconic balcony scene is both innovative and touching, with the pair navigating the ladders and stairs of the set while maintaining their physical connection.
The thoroughly unpleasant Tybalt, portrayed with depth by Danny Reubens, is obsessed with Juliet and has real animosity towards Mercutio (Ben Brown) and although you know from the start that things are going to end in tragedy, this production brings a renewed sense of shock and futility to the story.
It's a mesmerizing blend of classic storytelling and innovative dance theatre, promising an unforgettable evening for all.
- 01904. Matthew Bourne_s Romeo and Juliet. Jackson Fisch, Harry Ondrak-Wright, Cameron Flynn, Paris Fitzpatrick _Romeo_ and Daisy May Kemp. Photo by Johan Persson.
- 02856. Matthew Bourne_s Romeo and Juliet. Cordelia Braithwaite _Juliet_ _ Paris Fitzpatrick _Romeo_. Photo by Johan Persson
- 03057.Matthew Bourne_s Romeo and Juliet. Paris Fitzpatrick _Romeo_ _ Cordelia Braithwaite _Juliet. Photo by Johan Persson
- 04689. Matthew Bourne_s Romeo and Juliet. Paris Fitzpatrick _Romeo_, Cordelia Braithwaite _Juliet_ and Company. Photo by Johan Persson
- 04442. Matthew Bourne_s Romeo and Juliet. Paris Fitzpatrick _Romeo_ and Company. Photo by Johan Persson.
- 08230. Matthew Bourne_s Romeo and Juliet. Paris Fitzpatrick _Romeo_. Photo by Johan Persson.
- 08439. Matthew Bourne_s Romeo and Juliet. Cordelia Braithwaite _Juliet_ _ Paris Fitzpatrick _Romeo_. Photo by Johan Persson
- 25806. Matthew Bourne_s Romeo and Juliet. Monique Jonas _Juliet_. Photo by Johan Persson
- 28998. Matthew Bourne_s Romeo and Juliet. Rory Macleod _Romeo_ _ Monique Jonas _Juliet_. Photo by Johan Persson
- 27900. Matthew Bourne_s Romeo and Juliet. Rory Macleod _Romeo_ _ Monique Jonas _Juliet_. Photo by Johan Persson
- 31258. Matthew Bourne_s Romeo and Juliet. Richard Winsor _Tybalt_. Photo by Johan Persson
- 29314. Matthew Bourne_s Romeo and Juliet. Rory Macleod _Romeo_. Photo by Johan Persson
- 33880. Matthew Bourne_s Romeo and Juliet. Rory Macleod _Romeo_ _ Monique Jonas _Juliet_. Photo by Johan Persson
- Matthew Bourne_s Romeo and Juliet. Alan Vincent _Senator Montague_, Cordelia Braithwaite _Mrs. Montague_ _ Rory Macleod _Romeo_. Photo by Johan Persson
