ROMEO AND JULIET PERFORMED BY THE STATE BALLET OF
RUSSIA (EKATERINBURG)
Following is information on the production of
"Romeo and Juliet" performed by The
State Ballet of Russia.
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"Romeo and Juliet" performed by The State
Ballet of Russia - Live from Ekateringburg |
HISTORY OF "ROMEO AND JULIET"
The tragic love story of Romeo
and Juliet has a long history. From the early
poetry about Romeo and Juliet including Arthur
Brooke's "Tragical History of Romeus and
Juliets" in 1562 through "Romeo and
Juliet" written by William Shakespeare in
1593, Berlioz's dramatic symphony of "Romeo
and Juliet" in 1839, Gunod's opera of "Romeo
& Juliet" in 1867, Tchaikovsky's symphonic
poem of "Romeo and Juliet" in 1869 to
Prokofiev's production of "Romeo and Juliet"
during the 1930's.
PRODUCTION SYNOPSIS FOR "ROMEO AND JULIET"
Act 1
The ballet opens on the pre-dawn
streets of Verona. We first see Rosalind who is
the latest object of young Romeo's affections.
He pursues her in the hope of gaining her attention,
which she withholds. Next appear Mercurtio, Benvolio
and their Gypsy friends. The peace of the marketplace
is soon broken when the Montagues are confronted
by the Capulets. The ensuring fight is brought
to an end by the appearance of Escalus, Prince
of Verona. Tired of the eternal fighting between
the two families he decrees death to the next
offender who breaks the peace. All depart except
Mercutio and Benvolio who chase the Capulet nurse
through the streets where they eventually find
Romeo lost in thought.
Outside the Capulet residence
Juliet surprises the nurse who is returning home.
Their play is interrupted by Juliet�s mother who
broaches the subject of marriage. Juliet�s friends
appear from within bearing a beautiful ball dress
for Juliet who remains innocently unaware of the
events to come.
The guests of Lord Capulet, including
Count Paris, arrive for the grand masked ball.
Romeo follows Rosalind only as far as the gates,
but it is with Mercutio's insistence that he follows
her into the Capulet's home. Of course, Mercutio
and Benvolio must also steal their way into the
house.
Lord Capulet has spared no expense
to impress Count Paris. As Juliet begins to dance
with Paris, the Montagues begin to cause havoc
amongst the guests, taking particular pleasure
in annoying Tybalt. Romeo is instantly captivated
by the vision of Juliet who is similarly smitten
by this masked stranger. She searches the room
where she once again meets Romeo. In response
to her father's call, Juliet entertains the guests
but, as she dances, is distracted with thoughts
of Romeo. As the crowd leaves to dine, Romeo appears
to confront Juliet. Tybalt, who has stolen a moment
with Lady Capulet, espies the young Montague and
calls everyone back. He challenges Romeo to a
duel on the spot. Lord Capulet, in fear of losing
command in his own house, picks up the gauntlet
and insists Tybalt desist.
Romeo�s friends seek him out
in the streets, but he is not to be found. Lady
Capulet seeks out her bellowed nephew, Tybalt,
to console his embarrassment. Romeo is secreted
in the Capulet gardens hoping for a glimpse of
Juliet. His wait is rewarded as Juliet appears
on her balcony. At first surprised by his presence,
she is quick to be captivated by Romeo. They cannot
deny their love; however, the two realise the
boundaries of the real world they cannot escape.
As the sun rises on a new day, they must part.
Act II
The marketplace is alive with
celebration. Juliet's nurse appears with a letter
for Romeo. Mercutio is quick to tease, but eventually
Romeo receives his letter. All are intrigued by
his sudden exhilaration and sudden departure.
Juliet arrives at Friar Lawrence's cell and with
the quick arrival of Romeo and the nurse the two
are united in marriage. The Friar prays that this
will end the family feuds.
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Tybalt arrives in the
marketplace in search of Romeo. When Romeo
refuses Tybalt�s challenge, Mercutio quickly
moves to fight Tybalt. Romeo seeks to stop
the fight and, in the process causes Mercutio
to be fatally stabbed. Mercutio, in his
last moments continues his lighthearted
ways and tries to fool his friends to believe
he is all right.
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In a blind rage Romeo seeks revenge
upon Tybalt. It is only with Tybalt�s death that
he realises the horror of his actions. Lady Capulet
is distraught on discovering the body of her dead
nephew. Romeo flees both the rage of Lady Capulet
and the punishment of the Prince.
Act III
The nurse smuggles Romeo into
the Capulet house to spend his last and only evening
with his young wife. With the dawn they are forced
to part. Lady Capulet enters to announce Juliet�s
imminent marriage to Count Paris. Juliet�s defiance
in the face of this news ignites the rage of both
her mother and father. Left alone, Juliet realises
she must seek out the help of Friar Laurence.
Juliet pleads with the Friar
for help. He eventually gives her a vial of herbs
that if swallowed, will temporarily feign her
death, allowing her to later escape to her Romeo.
Returning to her room, Juliet
is confronted by her parents and Paris. Coldly
submissive, she accepts the marriage plans. Left
alone she contemplates the vial which at once
could be her salvation or her doom. Her love for
Romeo proves stronger than her fear of death and
so she swallows the potion. The nurse arrives
to awaken Juliet for her wedding day. Joy is turned
into sorrow as she discovers Juliet is no longer
among the living.
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After the family bids
farewell to Juliet�s body, Paris elects
to stay in the crypt and linger with his
lost love. Romeo arrives in the crypt planning
to stay forever with his beloved. Paris
challenges Romeo who is forced to kill him.
Romeo drinks the poison that he has bought
with him and dies in the arms of his Juliet.
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The Friar returns and tries to
pull the awakening Juliet from the death grip
of Romeo. Unwilling to live without Romeo, she
refuses to follow the Friar. Stumbling upon the
body of Paris, she discovers his dagger and returns
to the arms of Romeo where she stabs herself,
bringing our story to its tragic end.
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"Romeo and Juliet" performed by The State
Ballet of Russia - Live from Ekaterinburg |
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