Family performance 'Romeo en Juul'

In the corridors of deSingel it is extra busy on this wintry Sunday, noisy, full of life, expectant too: what are we going to hear and see?

The willingness to believe in the illusion. The hall fills up. The soft, somewhat diffuse lighting is warm and inviting. On the programme an age-old story, Shakespeare's tragedy 'Romeo and Juliet'. Love is a universal theme that is opened up and interpreted even more broadly here. The narrative of 'Romeo and Juliet' connects not only two rival families but here also a girl with dark skin and a boy with white skin. I am somewhat charmed by my eight-year-old granddaughter. Before the show, she asks me the question: "Grandma, do you know what it's about? Well, they are two enemies and yet they love each other!" Romeo and Juliet in a nutshell. The little girl had done her homework.

Staging

On stage, on the garden side, stands a tall scaffolding with two levels. 'Romeo and Juliet' cannot be without a balcony scene. The musicians appear casually dressed. It's a bit of a switch when you see the conductor take his place dressed in jeans, a hoodie and sneakers. Comfortable and recognizable for the young audience.

'West Side Story' flashes through my mind for a moment. The orchestra plays with precision and transparency. Jelle Stassyns, who provided the music, mixed classical compositions with recognizable tunes from, among others, K3, Adamo and Arabic rhythms, to which Romeo performs a traditional dance with energetic arm and foot movements, swaying hips and quick turns on his axis. Then Julia also appears on stage. Lost in thought, they collide with each other.

Actress/singer Sinay Bavurhe is a ravishing appearance with a unique voice and wonderful natural talent. With her singing abilities and uninhibited acting style, she immediately captivates the audience. The orchestra literally moves along as part of the scenography. The brass players play powerful motifs. The melodic material is more for the strings. Winds and strings manifest themselves as the rival families. Romeo is a Montague, while Julia is a Capulet. The two get to know each other. Romeo, who has to work at the market and sell fruit, wants to become a writer. They find a kindred spirit in each other. The bitter struggle between their families is not for them. Julia reveals that she is called Juul by her friends. They dream of a carefree life on a distant island.

Cleverly done is when the winds and strings position themselves on the front stage opposite each other. They put on the hoods of their hoodies and step menacingly towards each other. Both protagonists walk around lost between them looking for each other. Shortly after, Romeo shows his talent as a rapper. He pounds on brotherhood between peoples, a crucial element for a peaceful and harmonious society. He has since told Juul that his name is actually not Romeo but Romi.

The music is fragmentary and aphoristic in character. With the constant movements of the musicians, it is quite a job for the conductor to keep everything on track. The strings later stand in small groups with their heads close together. They gossip away. Meanwhile the atmosphere is tense. The threat gains extra strength through the sounds of an euphonium and a slide trumpet. Juul and Romi flee to the balcony. Have to hide. The solo of a clarinet is very beautiful. Boat refugees are very present in this time segment. Romi and Juul hoist the sails high on the tower and sail to their dream island. Here no sad ending but hope for a beautiful life without hate and racial discrimination. A peaceful future breathes music.

Teamwork

Conductor, Txemi Etxebarria, communicated in a subtle way with the musicians and managed to generate both euphoria and energy and intimacy. For the musicians a tour de force to both act and play.

'Romeo and Juul', a fresh, spicy, heart-warming and imaginative performance that captivated young and old. A layered work about distress, fear and love. But this performance also contains stepping stones towards awareness, reflection and connection, a plea for social cohesion. A moment of reflection too on what is happening in the world. Both visually and auditorily, aphoristic pieces of a mosaic inventively fitted together with exuberant applause as a reward.