Theatre Review: Varna International Ballet - Romeo & Juliet, Bristol Hippodrome

Summary:

Rating: ★★★★

Running Dates: Tuesday 7th January 2025

Where to see it: Bristol Hippodrome

Duration: 1 hour, 50 minutes (including interval)

Keywords: Elegant, Emotive, Classic

Review

Each scene felt effortless, with different emotions captured and delivered by each move.

I was very fortunate to be invited to see Varna International Ballet in their 2025 Season. I had the pleasure of experiencing their performance of Romeo & Juliet, however, the Varna Ballet Team are currently touring the UK with performances of Swan Lake, The Nutcracker also. Their appearance at the Bristol Hippodrome is only the third stop on the tour so there are plenty of opportunities to catch a performance!

Once again, I was utterly captivated by the music of a live orchestra. I had, somewhat recently, reviewed a ballet performance of Sleeping Beauty which had been my first experience of live orchestral music! Not that there is ever a moment for you to take your eyes away from the stage, but if there were, the orchestra is a spectacle in and of themselves.

The stage backdrop was very subtle - so as not to take away from the dancers, one assumes - yet complimented by simple projection which centred the audience in time and place. We were transported seamlessly to Verona amidst the feuding Montagues and Capulets.

We open on the celebrations of a Spring carnival, however, the lighthearted atmosphere does not last long as Tybalt and Mercutio begin to skirmish. Over the course of the first scene, each character is introduced with clarity which dispelled any concern that I wouldn’t be able to keep track of who is who! 

The performers portraying Mercutio and Tybalt were particularly noteworthy. Romeo & Juliet is a timeless classic with carefully crafted dynamics and relationships - the rivalry between Mercutio and Tybalt is but one such dynamic. It is a constant battle between Tybalt’s fiery and intense hatred and Mercutio’s playful and daring spirit. It is a relationship which ultimately ends in tragedy and I felt that the journey to that end was clearly and cleverly portrayed.

Speaking of chemistry within relationships, Romeo & Juliet melted together as they danced. Each scene felt effortless, with different emotions captured and delivered by each move. I was a particular fan of the costume choices for Juliet as they amplified the fluidity and grace in her movements.

The Acts did feel rather short - albeit they say that time flies when you’re having fun! Before we knew it, the curtain closed on Act One and the star-crossed lovers were preparing for their secret marriage (no apologies for spoilers - it is Romeo & Juliet after all!). As expected, the pace and intensity picks up in Act Two as we are shown tragedy after tragedy after tragedy.

Overall, another brilliant performance which I thoroughly enjoyed! I’ll certainly be dabbling in another ballet performance soon. As mentioned, the 2025 Season is currently touring and will be visiting several cities within the City Girl Network. If this sounds up your street, the next stop is Liverpool from 10 January 2025.

To get tickets for the Varna International Ballet click here

We were kindly gifted these tickets in exchange for a review.

Written by Chelsea Bartlett

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