PROKOFIEV, S.: Romeo and Juliet [Ballet] (National Theatre Prague, 2015)
Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64
Composer: Prokofiev, Sergey
Ballet Company: Czech National Ballet
Choreographer: Zuska, Petr
Capulet: Wenzelova, Michaela
Juliet: Drastikova, Marta
Lorenzo: Konvalinka, Viktor
Mab: Marova, Nicola
Mr. Comedian: Nanu, Alina
Mrs. Comedian: Kodym, Jiri
Romeo: Vinklat, Ondrej
Sr. Comedian: Burlac, Veaceslav
Tybalt: Deneux, Mathias
Orchestra: Czech State Opera Orchestra
Conductor: Zahradnik, Vaclav
Television Director: Paramo, Sonia
Lighting Designer: Zuska, Petr
Set Designer: Dusek, Jan
Costumer Designer: Solc, Roman
Date of Production: 06-2015
Venue: Prague State Opera
Playing Time: 01:47:42
Catalogue Number: EuroArts6410
Romeo and Juliet is one of the most frequently performed ballets at the Prague National Theatre. The first one premiered on the 30th December 1938, yet this new staging, which is already the sixth, will be very different compared to previous productions. Petr Zuska, artistic director of the Czech National Ballet unlike in the origina Shakespearean tragedy does not focus on the story of lovers but on the reason for resentment and blood feud between the Montagues and Capulets: The eternal conflict of the male and female principle. This rendering leaves more room for other, all too often neglected characters, such as Friar Laurence. In this piece his role is highlighted as renaissance man representing human faith in God. His nemesis is Queen Mab, a mythical ruler of shadows, the "midwife of dreams and phantoms".
