Matthew Bourne’s: Romeo + Juliet is showing at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre from Tuesday 19th – Saturday 23rd September 2023. This bold reimagining transports the Shakespearian tragedy from 16th Century, fair Verona to the seemingly timeless Verona Institute where the young lovers are separated into Girls and Boys dormitories.
This adaptation keeps the skeleton of the Shakespeare classic however Bourne’s production is ignited not just by the arrival of Romeo to the institution but also the assault that Juliet experiences at the hands of Tybalt, the institute guard. When Reverend Lawrence organises a social dance for the inmates we experience a brief moment of the cinematic, Sandy and Danny, teenager first love bliss. Bourne then flips and challenges the less romantic side of an all consuming first love, where the separation becomes haunting after tragedy strikes and the lovers are once again separated.
Cordelia Braithwaite is breathtaking and humble as Juliet, there is a gravity between herself and Rory MacLeod as Romeo that is refreshing and unmistakable. Danny Reubens portrays a truly menacing Tybalt, finding those moments of inner torment that accompanies unrequited love. The entire cast of this production is outstanding, each member bringing an individual story to the institute – Ben Brown, Euan Garrett and Leo McCorkindale stand out as Mercutio, Benvolio and Balthasar respectively.
On top of Matthew Bourne’s writing and direction, the entire creative team of Romeo + Juliet have put together an astonishing production. Prokofiev’s iconic original score has been rearranged by Terry Davies, with sound design by Paul Groothuis. The set and costume are simultaneously chilling and beautiful especially when partnered with the lighting design by Paule Constable – the tiled background of the institute reflects back the young lovers in brief flashes of joy and captures shadows across some of the production’s darker scenes. Across the entire cast and creative team it is clear that Romeo + Juliet has been created from a clear vision that the entire team executes with passion.
Matthew Bourne’s: Romeo + Juliet takes and reframes the expected themes of love, lust, trauma and coming of age in a brilliant reimagining. Audiences will leave having the air knocked out of them and contemplating the scenes of the institute for days. This is not a production to be missed.
Matthew Bourne’s: Romeo + Juliet is running from Tuesday 19th – Saturday 23rd September at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre @ 7.30pm (matinees 2.30pm).
Get tickets here – https://www.capitaltheatres.com/bookevent/matthew-bournes-romeo-juliet/
Theatre Scotland 
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