Romeo and Juliet (2019) By Matthew Bourne Flashcards
What year was Romeo and Juliet first created and performed by New Adventures?
2019
What are the 4 main themes?
- Power
- Unforbidden love
- Opression
- Desire and longing
Who are the main characters?
- Juliet
- Romeo
- Tybalt
- Mercutio
- Balthasar
- Benvolio
Describe the opening movement of the work.
Include other constituent features and the interpretation
-Romeo and Juliet are lying in a supine position on a bed centre stage. There is a single white spotlight on them, and the surrounding space is dark. They are in pure white dress and top and trousers, and a red curtain drops to reveal them.
Romeo and Juliet are shown to be dead, which foreshadows the ending of the dance.
Describe a movement from act 1 scene 1
Give the interpretation
Movement: 6 inmates form a horizontal line upstage centre, and they take 8 small walks towards downstage, with straight legs and arms in opposition. Then on the spot they suspend the leg forwards with their arms in opposition, then flex the leg and arm into an angular position, jalting their head forwards at the same time, repeating 4 times.
Interpretation: Key theme of oppression. The dancers all appear like robots as this move is repeated many times and in unison in straight formations. This shows their lack of control and diversity.
Describe a movement example from Act 1 scene 2 which shows the theme of power.
Give the interpretation
Movement: Juliet runs up towards Tybalt where she is lifted over on to his right shoulder and he turns around lowering Juliet by the feet and then she is spinned around on the floor into a supine position
Interpretation: manipulation and change of levels shows Tybalt has the power
Describe a movement which shows Juliet’s mental health declining in her solo is Act 1 Scene 3
Give the interpretation.
Movement: she sits with both legs straight out in front of her, then brings her right leg over to roll on to her stomach, opening both legs into a split position, then continuing to roll on her side when she contracts her stomach and tucks her legs into a tight ball and her hands are on her throat.
Interpretation: She extends like she is trying to reach for help but no one is there for her, leaving her feel upset, alone, and in physical and emotional pain
How is direct correlation used in Act 1 scene 4 the party?
Give the interpretation
Movement: The female dancers are on stage left and the male dancers are on stage right, they perform 8 glissades travelling sideways in a semi circle pathway so that the 2 groups face each other along the middle. The females are holding onto their skirts. All the dancers are in unison and exactly match the music.
Interpretation: They are practicing their dance for the party but appear very robotic and awkward doing so whilst not being able to dance with the other gender
Describe a movement where the theme of oppression is seen in Act 1 scene 4 the party
Give the interpretation
Movement: Female dancers are stage left and males on stage right, in unison they all raise their arms into a ballroom dancing position but with palms exposed and with very angular elbows. They take one step forwards closing their feet, then do a box step type movement then do 3 slow rocks to the side lifting their leg up and tilting their body. Their facial expressions appear sad and confused.
Interpretation: shows oppression as they’ve all been forced to wear the party clothes and learn a partner dance for the event, but are being prevented from rehearsing together due to the institutes rules.
How is the theme of sexual desire shown by Romeo and Juliet’s duet in act 1 scene 6?
give the interpretation
Movement: Romeo and Juliet are kissing and they pencil roll travelling downstage on top of one another without breaking contact. Juliet then crawls around so she is now in a horizontal line with Romeo and they pencil roll travelling upstage, still kissing, with romeos hands holding Juliets head.
Interpretation: they are madly in love and their built up energy for one another is being released through this intimate duet.
Give a movement example which shows that the inmates support Romeo and Juliet’s relationship in Act 2
Give the interpretation
Movement: Half the dancers form a circular formation around R and J who are positioned USC. The inmates are on their knees and are looking up at R and J
Interpretation: The circle shows the support and protection they are providing, and the lower level shows they are putting R and J above them, worshipping and admiring them.
Describe a movement example that Tybalt does in Act 2 which links to modern society
Give the interpretation
Movement: Holding a beer bottle in one hand, he leans back putting the foot on the toe, circling the beer bottle backwards, then takes 3 runs forwards travelling to stage left. His movements are on the exact rhythm of the music
Interpretation: uses direct correlation and links to current affairs. It shows the power alcohol can have on society, and the rapid shifting between emotions shows his unstableness
Describe a movement in act 2 where the key theme of power is shown
Give the interpretation
Movement: All of the inmates are holding onto one another gathered around Tybalt who is knelt on the floor. They all pull on two bits of cloth which is wrapped around Tybalt’s neck, attempting to strangle him. You can hear panting and they are shown to be physically tired from this action. The lighting creates shadows of the inmates on the back wall of the set, creating the impression there is even more of them against only Tybalt.
Intepretation: They are providing phsyical oppression as a team against Tyblat in return for what he has caused them mentally. Their power gets the better of them and they end up killing Tybalt.
Describe how the climax of the work is created referring to all 4 constituent features.
Give the interpretation
- Movement: All inmates cross each other then freeze, as Juliet is holding a knife into Romeos Stomach positioned centre stage. Juliet remains frozen in her hallucination and Romeo trembles in pain, then all inmates exit stage from 2 sides and knife is still in Romeo. Juliet jumps backwards in realisation.
- Physical setting: Stage lighting goes from dim and warm to harsh and bright spotlight on Romeo and Juliet, drawing all the attention here. The use of the prop of the knife shows the stabbing more clearly, and the special effect of the blood highlights Romeos wound.
- Aural setting: Music is low pitched, loud and slow when Romeo gets stabbed, going from a fast tempo and fluctuating pitches previously showing the chaos has ended. There is a 3 second silence which creates drama as the audience realises what’s happened. When Juliet realises there are 4 loud notes and another pause of silence.
- Dancers: Juliets role is to act as if she’s hallucinating, not realising that she’s actually stabbed Romeo not Tybalt, whilst Romeo trembles in pain.
Describe a movement where power is shown in Act 3?
Give the interpretation
Movement: All inmates are stood in 4 diagonal lines across the stage with a path running through the middle of them. As Juliet walks backwards through the lines holding the knife and Tybalt follows, each line of dancers jumps in an erratic way and falls to the floor. This comes on the 4 sharp loud repeating notes of the music.
Interpretation: Even though Tybalt is dead, his power and control over the inmates still exists enough to cause the inmates extreme stress and panic. Shows how impactful his actions were.
