It’s a classic tale — Romeo and Juliet must hide their forbidden love from their warring families. In their efforts to be together, multiple people wind up dead, including the lovers themselves in a tragic ending that, no matter how many times people see it, still makes them tear up.
The story has been retold a thousand different ways over the centuries. Many of those versions try to simplify the language of Shakespeare’s original play to make it more relatable. Others seem intent on making interpretation more difficult. While a dance performance of the plot may seem to fall into the latter category, Ballet West’s performance of “Romeo & Juliet” tells a straightforward narrative of the age-old script.
Mercutio, Romeo and Juliet were easily the most entertaining of the performers of the night. In particular, Mercutio provided humor and levity in a performance filled otherwise with lovestruck desperation tinged with inevitable sorrow. While ballet and comedy may not seem to go together, there’s no other way to describe his sets than as comedy routines. By poking fun at the seriousness of this show, he also seemed to be telling the audience that although ballet has historically been the entertainment of the elite, it can also get dirty and silly when it wants to. His light-hearted fun throughout Act I made his death in Act II all the more saddening, although even his death scene turned into a mockery as it kept going on and on … and on … and on.
Romeo served as Mercutio’s foil, always serious and rarely capable of jokes, but also continuously emotionally engaged. His emotions could be read on his face, his movements and his stillness. His partner Juliet’s feelings were no less intense, if less easy to read, coming through in her spectacular dancing.
Though these three were the most fun to watch, every performer was meant to be there. Every scene was meticulously crafted; nothing was ever out of place. Ballet West is known for producing quality work, and “Romeo & Juliet” is no exception. With four different casts, you never know exactly which performer you will get on which night, but with Ballet West you always know you will be watching master artists.
Even if you’re not a ballet fan per se, this show has something for everyone, including resplendent costumes made of yards upon yards of rich fabric, magnificent sets topped with intricate lighting quickly changing the background, comedic actions, fancy gymnastics, professional music and thrilling fight scenes.
Ballet West’s first public performance of Romeo & Juliet was on Feb. 12, and the show will continue this week, with performances at 7 p.m. on Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 18, 19 and 20, and 2 p.m. on Feb. 20. All performances are held at the Capitol Theatre in downtown Salt Lake.