★★★★
After its long-awaited return to Leeds Grand Theatre in March last year, Northern Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet makes a second-year comeback, taking Leeds Playhouse by storm for an exhilarating end to the spring season.
Christopher Gable and Massimo Moricone’s rendition of William Shakespeare’s classic play, Romeo and Juliet, is not one to be missed. Telling the ever-familiar tale of love, fate, and tragedy, Romeo and Juliet introduces us to the story of two young lovers, fated to a tragic end at the hands of their feuding families, the Montagues and Capulets.
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet laid the foundation for both past and present love stories alike, especially those with heart-wrenching tragedy. Entrancing, emotive, and fluid, it is easy to understand how Northern Ballet’s production of the tale has become such a staple legacy for the company. Accompanied by a recording by the Orchestra of the Slovak National Theatre, it was exhilarating to hear Sergei Prokofiev’s works brought to life in performance, leaving no doubt to how Romeo and Juliet became such a world-renowned, must-see live ballet.
Raw and real, Romeo and Juliet ticks every single box, with magical storytelling from drama to comedy, love, and to lust. The ballet’s opening night audience had the pleasure of witnessing Saeka Shirai and Harris Beattie as Verona’s love-struck duo, resulting in an undeniable stage presence, and palpable chemistry between the two lovers producing an overall attention-grabbing and heart-warming performance. Shirai and Beattie brought a freshness to the performance; not once did eyes stray as their story was told through pas de deux and passion. Romeo and Juliet is visually stunning, emotion seeping through every part of the performance. Shirai and Harris play the perfect part, and what better setting than Leeds Playhouse, breaking barriers of intimacy and closeness between the audience and dancers.
Helen Bogatch was beyond entrancing as Lady Capulet, sweeping onto the stage in a fiery-red floor-length gown, commanding attention. Icy and stern, her presence on stage created an abundance of tension, with moments where all that the audience could do was hold their breath. Often accompanied by Harry Skoupas as Lord Capulet, the duo brought an undeniably sinister and threatening air to the whirlwind scenes in Verona. Northern Ballet excels in the finishing touches. The effort put into costuming and attention to detail shows, and it pays off.
Northern Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet is not only purely tragic, but in parts comedic and light-hearted, with a particular nod to Harriet Marden, as the Nurse, and Yu Wakizuka as Mercutio. Comedy factors as such are what tips Northern Ballet over the edge of being great, into outstanding, creating a whimsical narrative flow that is engaging to all, regardless of age, prior knowledge of the story, or even interest in ballet.
The beautiful three-act performance ended with plenty of sniffles and tissues, undeniably reflective of exactly what Northern Ballet has to offer.
Northern Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet concluded on 21 June at Leeds Playhouse, marking the end of their spring season. Tickets are now available to purchase for the remainder of the 2025 season.
Words by Mia Stapleton
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