Walls moving, segway entrances reminiscent of Star Wars drama, lighting so stunning it sent waves of gasps through the audience, a drop center stage, and, of course, brilliant dancing--all of this came together in the Royal Swedish Ballet's performance of Mats Ek's Juliet and Romeo at the Segresteom Center for the Arts this past weekend.
In Juliet and Romeo, Ek's rendition of the Shakespeare inspired ballet, there was never a dull moment. Personally,(much to the distaste of the multitude of old women surrounding me) I spent a good amount of time laughing. It didn't take itself too seriously, something I find too often in 'modern dance.' Pieces get so serious and contemplative to a point where they become dull. The Royal Swedish Ballet's performance was anything but this. From the nurse riding a segway with a bright yellow helmet to Mercutio directing the live orchestra, the comic relief was added in perfect doses.
If the dancing didn't keep you occupied, the technical aspects certainly did. Golden light cut across the stage bouncing off moving walls, forming dark silhouettes. Smoke held the air giving the stage a dramatic weight. Women with flowing costumes swished them to form captivating shapes. It was more than just dance.
The dancing, however, didn't disappoint. The choreography was both interesting and technical. There were simply beautiful moments of contact, bodies seemed to flow in and out of each other, contrasted with sharp difficult steps--just enough ballet to appreciate the dancers' skill, just enough gesture to reference their humanity--it had a balance to it.
In short, it combined to a great show, in all aspects. I look forward to seeing more of the Royal Swedish Ballet, Mats Ek, and Linus Fellbom, the genius behind the golden light, in the future.
