The Royal Swedish Ballet lands at the Teatro Real in Madrid from May 7 to 10 to present Juliet and Romeo, a 2013 choreography by Mats Ek. The work reverses the title of Shakespeare's classic to reinforce the female lead. Set in an indefinite time, it portrays the protagonists as contemporary youths in a hostile environment, offering a modern take on the myth.
The staging: lighting and movement without artifice ðŸŽ
Mats Ek's choreography dispenses with large sets to focus on body language and precise lighting. The dancers perform movements that blend classical dance with everyday gestures, creating a direct visual narrative. The minimalist costumes reinforce the idea of youth trapped in a violent environment. The music, featuring fragments of Tchaikovsky, adapts to the rhythms of a story that needs no swords to show conflict.
For those who think Romeo always gets the blame 💥
Finally, a ballet where Juliet doesn't spend three acts waiting for someone to solve her life. Now she makes decisions, even if they remain just as tragic. We'll see if the Madrid audience, accustomed to picture-postcard Veronas, accepts these youths who seem to come from a troubled park. At least, no one will argue about who's in charge this time in the title.