Roméo et Juliette

German choreographer Sasha Waltz, a key figure in contemporary dance, has revisited the story of Romeo and Juliet for the Paris Opera Ballet and, in doing so, has concentrated on the essential simple truth of the story: the passion of the lovers. All other elements of the legend, as told by Shakespeare, are peripheral – literally, in most cases as they take place to the side of the stage while the lovers dance with eyes only for each other. The minimalist set centres on a large white platform with few props – so that the heaping of stones to suggest the tomb has striking visual impact. In contrast, the suggestion of a party scene was hilarious for its lack of decoration: women and men in shiny costumes crowded together on the spot and mimed socializing: eating, drinking, gesticulating at a frenzied pace. They were in sharp contrast to the other dancers and singers in their black and white, evidently mirroring life and death, rather than the usual contrasting colours of the Montagues and Capulets. The music by Berlioz, his Dramatic Symphony, added solo and chorus singing to the expected dance and music. So beautiful and powerful was this music that it deserves equal weight in the review – and is said to be Sasha Waltz’s starting point for her choreography. As for the dancing, Aurelie Dupont and Herve Moreau are the stars (and the star-crossed lovers) of this film and, thanks to Waltz and their own beautiful and convincing performances, dominate the stage. This has the effect of making other performers seem more peripheral than they deserve to be. This was particularly so in the final scene when the dead lovers had to lie on uncomfortable rocks for what seemed like an eternity. Around them there was glorious singing and beautiful dancing, but it went almost unnoticed. That in itself was a tragedy! Overall, a very welcome film in the tradition of The Met: Live series and, with screenings all over Australia, an opportunity for many more audiences to explore the ballet. Don’t miss it! Rating: 4 ½ stars out of 5 Roméo et Juliette Performed by l’Opéra national de Paris Ballet Choreography and direction: Sasha Waltz (Opéra national de Paris, 2007) Music: Hector Berlioz Set design: Pia Maier-Schriever, Thomas Schenk and Sasha Waltz Costumes: Bernd Skodzig Lighting: David Finn With Etoiles, Premiers Danseurs and Corps de Ballet Paris Opera Orchestra conducted by Vello Pähn Symphonie Dramatique, Op. 17 (1839) Text by Emile Deschamps after William Shakespeare In limited national release June 16 – 17 PARTICIPATING CINEMAS: VIC: Cinema Nova, Village Rivoli, Palace Dendy Brighton, Sorrento Athenaeum, Theatre Royal Castlemaine, Sun Theatre Bairnsdale NSW: Hayden Orpheum Cremorne, Dendy Opera Quays, Chauvel Cinema, Riverside Theatre Parramatta, Arcadia Twin Cinema Ulladulla, Narooma Cinema, Town Hall Theatre Temora, Scotty’s Cinema Centre Raymond Terrace QLD: Palace Centro, Dendy Portside, BCC Maroochydore ACT: Dendy Canberra SA: Palace Nova Eastend WA: Windsor Cinemas Nedlands TAS: CMAX Devonport