Presented by L.A. Dance Project. Choreographed by Benjamin Millepied
This is Shakespeare in high definition that offers visual treats that conquer the might of Vivid outside the Opera House doors.
Reviewed by Justin Clarke
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Until 9th June, 2024
Tickets: https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/dance/romeo-juliet-suite
Navigating between the worlds of dance, theatre and cinema, Benjamin Millepied’s Romeo & Juliet Suite brings Shakespeare’s timeless tale to life in a unique interpretation that is equal parts breathtaking in its choreography as it is visually stunning.
Choreographed by Millepied and set to Sergei Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet composition, there are moments that are an absolute feast for the senses as the L.A Dance Project offers a new vision of the star-crossed lovers told through a rotating cast of five leads. Daphne Fernberger and David Adrian Freeland Jr take on the role of Romeo, whilst Mario Gonzalez, Nayomi Van Brunt and Audrey Sides embody their version of Juliet in alternate pairings. In doing so, Millepied brings a modern vision to the idea of the doomed lovers, told through a contemporary lens that defies expectations, whilst also alluding to the traditional performance rules in Shakespeare’s patriarchal England.
As much a part of the show as the dancers are is Sebastien Marcovici’s live camera operation that takes the audience into the screen and outside the walls of the Joan Sutherland Theatre. This is Shakespeare in high definition and Millepied and Marcovici spare no expense in putting their amalgamation of technology and choreography to good use.
The famous balcony scene takes place, quite literally, on the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House’s “balcony”. In tonight’s performance, Gonzalez’s Juliet falls in love with Freeland Jr’s Romeo in the shadowy moonlight of the Opera House, the Sydney skyline glistening in the background lit up with the celebratory hues of Vivid.
It’s a stunning sequence that had the audience in amused giggles as the pair flirtatiously jumped and glided around the foyer outside the theatre and eventually into the forecourt, where their youthful innocence turns to a dance of lust and love. The pair are only ever in danger of being upstaged by a rogue seagull who must have also been spellbound by the dance sequence occurring.
Millipied’s choreography tells the story of Shakespeare’s lovers vividly in the extravagance and subtlety of the movements.
L.A. Dance Project’s Romeo and Juliet Suite makes its Australian premiere in a strictly limited exclusive season at the Sydney Opera House from June 5-9.
Wednesday 5 June 7:30pm and Saturday 8 June 2:00pm
Romeo: David Adrian Freeland, Jr
Juliet: Mario Gonzalez
Thursday 6 June 7:30pm and Saturday 8 June 7:30pm
Romeo: Daphne Fernberger
Juliet: Nayomi Van Brunt
Friday 7 June 7:30pm and Sunday 9 June 3:30pm
Romeo: David Adrian Freeland, Jr
Juliet: Audrey Sides
All performances
Tybalt: Lorrin Brubaker
Mercutio: Shu Kinouchi
CREATIVES
Artistic Director/Choreographer: Benjamin Millepied
Executive Director: Lucinda Lent
Director of Production: Nathan Shreeve-Moon
Director of Communications: Alice Mathis
Lighting and Scenic Designer: François-Pierre Couture
Costume Designer: Camille Assaf
Creative Collaborator: Olivier Simola
Lighting Director: Venus Gulbranson
Stage Manager: Betsy Herst
Stage Manager: Kait Mahoney
Camera Operator/Assoc. Artistic Director: Sebastien Marcovici
Rehearsal Director: Janie Taylor
Video Technician: Laurent Radanovic
Production & Tour Manager: Alisa Wyman
