Dutch National Ballet’s latest revival of Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet (1967) hits all the right notes with a very young and international audience. Ballet is obviously attracting and appealing to a very broad spectrum of Dutch society, many of whom had made that extra special effort to dress up, turning a trip to the ballet into an occasion not to be missed.
On the night we attended, Maia Makhateli (Juliet) with her amazing fluttering feet, and Semyon Velichko (Romeo) led the cast. Their very sensitive and touching portrayal brought Shakespeare’s play and Prokofiev’s 1938 setting to a very modern 21st century audience.
The cast
The huge cast included lots of children. And even the odd theatrical character which I don’t recall from Shakespeare’s original text!
The set
The opulent set with its rich pinks and deep purples is at its most spectacular in Act III when a parade of hooded mysteries draped in various shades parade the stage. The velvet catches the light and adds a degree of warmth and humanity to the fateful death of the two young lovers.
Prokofiev’s fabulous score is the real winner. Koen Kessels and the Dutch Ballet Orchestra teased every ounce of drama out of the timpani’s hammer blow for Tybalt’s dramatic death. His innate understanding of the score and attention to detail is a feast for the ears. The mandolin duet in the village scene was particularly enchanting.
Clare attended the performance on Thursday 16th October at Dutch National Opera & Ballet
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