ROMEO AND JULIET. A Cape Town City Ballet production of Veronica Paeper’s Romeo and Juliet. At Artscape Theatre until 28 August 2022.
BEVERLEY BROMMERT reviews
Reworking a perennial favourite like Romeo and Juliet can prove to be a two-edged sword, either diminishing or enhancing the appeal of the original.
Happily, in this restaging of a much-loved ballet, the latter outcome is confirmed by the work’s reincarnation in CTCB’s current season – possibly because choreographer Veronica Paeper, who first created it some years ago, is also responsible for its updated presentation.
Dry humour
All the energy, sensuality and recreational violence of medieval Verona is skillfully captured in this handsome new version, with more than a dash of the dry humour for which Paeper is famous.
Add to this the muscular execution of Lêusson Muniz (Romeo), partnered by Kirstel Paterson as a winsome Juliet, and underpinned by strong supporting performances from the likes of Nicolas Laubscher (Mercutio) and Quinton Jacobs (Tybalt) – and you have an evening of highly rewarding ballet.
Jonathan Lo, CTPO
Under the cohesive baton of guest celebrity conductor Jonathan Lo, musicians of the CTPO provide sterling accompaniment, with due respect for tempi, to do justice to Prokofiev’s delectable score.
Veteran Peter Cazalet’s sets are both functional and evocative, a further enhancement of the work’s visual appeal.
CTCB’s latest offering is likely to win the hearts and minds of its audiences, whether they are there purely for the pleasure of spectacle, or else with a view to assessing the proficiency of its executants.
Another triumph for the company.
What: Romeo and Juliet CTCB review
When: Until 28 August 2022
Where: Artscape Theatre, Cape Town
Book: Artscape Dial-a-Seat 021 421 7695, Computicket
WS
