Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo & Juliet

Is there a more memorable tragedy about the fleeting allure of love or a more cautionary tale about the lethal consequences of family politics, power and violence than William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet? Sixty years ago, the prolific and innovative Sir Kenneth MacMillan interpreted the tragic tale for the Royal Ballet at Covent Garden in London, starring Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn. Paul Andrews designed the magical medieval set and costumes (a valuable set of 720 pieces purchased from German ballet company Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe) which provide the rich-hued backdrop for the tragic love story. It is a visual feast from heart-racing start to lip-quivering end. Queensland Ballet’s opening night star-crossed lovers were Chiara Gonzalez as Juliet and Patricio Revé as Romeo – and they were the perfect romantic partners. In many ways, the dancers’ pas de deux are able to tell the love story better than any words: Juliet’s natural fit with Romeo and their flowing, faultless movement together contrasts with her angular attempt to dance with her long-suffering suitor, Paris; and Romeo’s dance with the lifeless Juliet in the crypt is heart-wrenching as he tries to revive her through their former love scenes.

As carved out by Mr Shakespeare and enhanced in dance, there are also outstanding character parts, played to the hilt by Janette Mulligan (Juliet’s famously whimsical Nurse), Kohei Iwamoto (who captures the charisma and impulsiveness of Mercutio; his ‘plague on both your houses’ rings out even though no words are uttered), Vito Bernasconi (an imposing and tyrannical Tybalt), Joshua Ostermann (a loyal and benevolent Benvolio), Edison Manuel (hapless Paris), Christian Tàtchev (the authoritarian Lord Capulet), Lisa Pavane (a deeply passionate Lady Capulet), David Power (an innocent but inept Friar Laurence) and Alison McWhinney (Rosaline, an important contrast to Juliet as the object of Romeo’s original boyish infatuation).

This production is big and bold, with scenes featuring more than 70 dancers on stage at once. As well as the carefully honed pas de deux that allow each character to shine, there are rollicking crowd scenes to bring the bustling Verona to life – one street party includes joyously whirling Mummers; and another features a thrilling sword fight, the clash of the blades punctuating Sergei Prokofiev’s dramatic ‘Dance of the Knights’, which provides a recurring musical motif for the threat of the more aggressive members of the Capulet family! Elsewhere, Prokofiev’s score (sensationally played live by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra) is moving, uplifting and ultimately heartbreaking. While the production runs for nearly 3 hours (including two intervals) the time races by as the energetic dance vignettes  speed our lovers to their fate.

Don’t miss the chance to see Queensland Ballet’s Romeo & Juliet – the cast will win your heart! (Note: Main cast members alternate so you could see four Romeos and four Juliets if you have time and resources!)

Find out more: www.queenslandballet.com.au/performances/2025/kenneth-macmillan-s-romeo-and-juliet

Beth Keehn

Photographer: David Kelly