Ballet Grigorovich - Romeo and Juliet, The Mayflower, Southampton
FONTEYN and Nureyev may have made the roles of Romeo and Juliet their own, but it is difficult to imagine more perfect casting than Elena Knizkova and Dayong Yin.
She, breathtakingly fragile and he the epitome of dreamy youth, they were entrancing as the star-cross'd lovers.
The balcony pas de deux was particularly moving. Alexei Kondratiuk brought a clownish charm to the role of Mercutio, drawing gasps of admiration for his jester-like jetees, executed with such height and control he appeared to be gliding in slow motion.
His playfulness, provocative in its stark opposition to the menacing presence of Tybalt (Sergei Barannikov), highlighted the tension that seeps through the ballet, erupting into the inevitable violence.
Choreographer Yuri Grigorovich is known for his lavish, sterling ballets and with Romeo and Juliet he did not disappoint.
It is just a shame that the theatre was not packed for it.
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