In the corridors of DeSingel, this winter Sunday is unusually bustling, buzzing with energy and anticipation: what will we 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 program an age-old story, Shakespeare's tragedy 'Romeo and Juliet.' Love is a universal theme that here is given an even broader interpretation. 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'm quite charmed by my eight-year-old granddaughter. Before the show starts, she asks me: "Grandma, do you know what it's about? Well, they're 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 two-story scaffolding. 'Romeo and Juliet' can't do without a balcony scene. The musicians appear dressed casually. It's quite a shift when you see the conductor take his place dressed in jeans, a hoodie and sneakers. Comfortable and relatable for the young audience.
'West Side Story' flashed through my mind for a moment. The orchestra plays with precision and transparency. Jelle Stassyns, who created the music, blended classical compositions with recognizable tunes from K3, Adamo and Arabic rhythms, during which Romeo performs a traditional dance with energetic arm and leg movements, swaying hips and quick spins. Then Julia appears on stage. Lost in thought, they collide with each other.
Actress/singer Sinay Bavurhe is a ravishing presence with a unique voice and wonderful natural talent. With her vocal abilities and unforced acting style, she captures the audience immediately. The orchestra literally moves along as part of the scenography. The brass players perform powerful motifs. The melodic material belongs to the strings. Brass and strings present 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 selling fruit, dreams of becoming a writer. They find a kindred spirit in each other. The bitter feud between their families means nothing to them. Julia reveals that her friends call her Juul. They dream of a carefree life on a distant island.
Cleverly done is when the brass and strings position themselves facing each other downstage. They pull the hoods of their hoodies over their heads and step threateningly toward each other. Both protagonists walk lost between them, searching for each other. Shortly after, Romeo shows his talent as a rapper. He hammers on brotherhood between peoples, a crucial element for a peaceful and harmonious society. By now he's told Juul that his real name is actually Romi, not Romeo.
The music is fragmented and aphoristic in character. With the constant movement of musicians, it's quite a task for the conductor to keep everything in order. The strings later gather in small groups with their heads together. They chat away. By now the atmosphere is tense. The threat gains extra force through the sounds of a euphonium and a trombone. Juul and Romi flee to the balcony. Must hide. Beautiful is the solo of a clarinet. Boat refugees are very present in this time segment. Romi and Juul hoist their sails high on the tower and sail to their dream island. Here no sad ending but hope for a beautiful life without hatred and racial discrimination. A peaceful future breathes music.
Conductor Alejo Pérez communicates in an intimate, subtle manner with the musicians and knows how to generate energy and intimacy. Choir director Jan Schweiger performed miracles. Nothing but praise for the musical arrangement and soundscapes of Steven Prengels. The young dancers of Ballet Vlaanderen: impressive.
Conductor, Txemi Etxebarria, communicated subtly 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, spirited, heartwarming and imaginative performance that captivated young and old. A layered work about distress, fear and love. But this performance also contains stepping stones toward awareness, toward reflection and connection, a plea for social cohesion. A moment of contemplation too on what is happening in the world. Both visually and aurally aphoristic pieces of a mosaic cleverly fitted together with exuberant applause as reward.
