Sunday, May 25, 2008

Poetry Train Monday - 50 - Romeo and Juliet


I was so happy to have a day all to myself on Saturday. I headed across the bridge to Halifax to catch the HD broadcast of the Royal Ballet's Romeo and Juliet, and it was total bliss.







Photo by Tristram Kenton






I'd heard of Tamara Rojo before (Juliet) but had never seen her dance until today. She's a Spaniard dancing for the English Royal Ballet company. She brought me to tears about four times, just her, her performance. Her technique is flawless and her acting is so true and passionate. Total bliss.






Photo by Bernardo Doral




But wait - it gets better. Her Romeo was Carlos Acosta, a Cuban dancing with the Royal Ballet. If you'd ever wondered to yourself whether male ballet dancers could be straight - and I assure you a great many are - one look at this panther/shapeshifter/man will cure you of that cliche. I heard quite a few women in the lobby saying, "Wasn't he something?" And he was. Strength, control, musicality, very passionate acting. He was something, all right.

So my post for the Poetry Train is the section of Shakespeare's play that closes the balcony scene. I've included a link to a segment of the performance I watched, along with the dancers talking about their roles as Romeo and Juliet. Enjoy!


From the Balcony Scene of Romeo and Juliet


JULIET
This bud of love, by summer's ripening breath,
May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet.
Good night, good night! as sweet repose and rest
Come to thy heart as that within my breast!

ROMEO
O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?

JULIET
What satisfaction canst thou have to-night?

ROMEO
The exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine.

JULIET
I gave thee mine before thou didst request it:
And yet I would it were to give again.

ROMEO
Wouldst thou withdraw it? for what purpose, love?

JULIET
But to be frank, and give it thee again.
And yet I wish but for the thing I have:
My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite.

Nurse calls within

I hear some noise within; dear love, adieu!
Anon, good nurse! Sweet Montague, be true.
Stay but a little, I will come again.

Exit, above

ROMEO
O blessed, blessed night! I am afeard.
Being in night, all this is but a dream,
Too flattering-sweet to be substantial.

- William Shakespeare, 1595



Click here to view video clip of Romeo and Juliet ballet

17 comments:

Jill said...

I have such a hard time with the old english, I prefer to hear it...I will come later to see the clip!

M. said...

i'm having desperate ballet envy right now...

Julia Phillips Smith said...

M. - I went to the cinema High Definition broadcast of this ballet. Wasn't it available where you are? It should be available in future as a DVD.

It was SO, so magnificently wonderful. If you go to YouTube and type in 'Tamara Rojo Carlos Acosta', you'll find the key scenes available from this production to watch.

Shelley Munro said...

Julia, what a striking couple!

Amy Ruttan said...

I love how ballerinas are just sooo graceful.

Thomma Lyn said...

Oh, how beautiful ***melt***! Looks like a fabulous ballet! :)

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful day! Good for you for taking the time and energy to make it happen. I do love that ballet - and the athletes are gorgeous.

Joy Renee said...

i just watched the clip. i got goosebumps. and you got to see the whole thing?

someday i've GOT to see a Shakespeare play performed. i live less than fifteen miles from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and yet have never been.

the ballet choreography i saw in the clip adds a whole new dimension.

thanx for visiting my poem about a ravishing.

HeatherK said...

When I saw the advert for this production you were the first, actually the only person, I thought of. I'm happy you got to see it. Makes me feel like it gave you a little touch of T.O. in NS.

Dorothy said...

That was wonderful. Bravo! I love the ballet.

I haven't done the six meme thingy yet, but I'll work on it today and let you know when it's up.

D.

Julia Phillips Smith said...

It did, Heather! It did!

M. said...

thanks julia i'll go check that out - i think maybe the closest i've come to seeing this type of dancer (i.e. latin influenced) was a live flamenco production that came to toronto a few years ago from spain. it was breathtaking.

Danika Dinsmore said...

that looks like one hot and steamy version of Romeo and Juliet. (who said ballet couldn't be sexy?)

Akelamalu said...

Oh the dancing on the clip was just breathtaking Julia, thankyou for sharing it.

Anonymous said...

You shareda wonderful piece. Thanks. It is a treat!

maryt/theteach said...

Julia, this is a beautiful post! Thanks for visiting my WW on Tuesday.

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

Romeo is one of my all-time favorites.