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New Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of it
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Theatre
A smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusion
Cock
Restaurants
Kitchen W8 is a bargain for this area, if such sophistication is what you crave
Kitchen W8
Too long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effects
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London,
Sarah Frater's rating
Reader rating
Dir: Monica Mason.
Cast: The Royal Ballet
Description: A rendition of Shakespeare's great romantic tragedy, choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan and performed to music composed by Prokofiev.
Uplifting: Romeo and Juliet captures the joy of new love
Kenneth MacMillan's Romeo and Juliet is one of the most famous ballets ever made, and it's not because we all know the story and recognise the music. It's not even because the choreography has such sensual appeal and sensational sword fights, although that does help. The reason for its success is that MacMillan shows us not only the fate of Romeo and Juliet but also our own.
He does, that is, provided you get a good cast. Since it was made back in 1965, lots of dancers have performed the steps and acted the story. Fewer have revealed the more poignant truth that Romeo and Juliet love each other and they love in a way that few of us have the chance, let along the courage to.
Marianela Nunez and Thiago Soares had a good stab at it over the weekend when they made their joint debut in the ballet. Their first two acts caught the joy of new love. When they first see each other at the Capulet ball, the world literally falls silent, even though the guests are dancing and the band is playing. Nunez is exuberant and playful, while Soares is both in a daze and in an uproar.
Their early chemistry is palpable, and their balcony pas de deux just wonderful. What they are less good at is the despair that overwhelms the lovers in the third act. When Soares takes his poison, his body should buckle with misery, and when Nunez discovers him dead in the tomb, her howl should chill you. This requires a sustained dramatic authenticity that neither quite achieved.
Sarah Lamb also made her debut as Juliet over the weekend, this time with Viacheslav Samodurov as Romeo. Lamb's dancing was faultless, as was her death scene, but she was inexplicably icy. Indeed, at times she seemed more the snow queen than the sensuous young woman MacMillan had in mind. The result was that Samodurov filled the vacuum, becoming the impetuous lover who drives the action to its unhappy close.
In rep until 13 June. Information: 020 7304 4000, www.roh.org.uk.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
