Romeo and Juliet Presented by Simone Maduro & Eric Anderson Edited by: Dr. Picart and Donna Gallagher

Aims To look at Romeo and Juliet in several versions to explore the relationship between text, play and dance. Also to provide background on Nureyev and how the story of Romeo and Juliet has been transformed.

Overview of Romeo and Juliet…  Characters  Plot

Discussion Question What does the following quote mean in relation to the understanding of language: “When a man’s verses cannot be understood…it strikes a man more dead than a great reckoning in a little room.” -As You Like It

Discussion Question  How do you all feel about the interpretation of the classic presented here? For example the replacing of the “noble balcony” with a fire escape.

Background – Ballet Timeline  1946 R&J produced as revival by the Bolshoi Theatre  1955 ballet of play is first seen in west in London by Zagreb ballet  1959 performance makes its way to U.S. by Bolshoi Ballet  1966 Royal Ballet version of Romeo and Juliet is filmed.  1977 Nureyev stages R&J for the London Festival Ballet

Rudolf Nureyev

 1938 March 17 born in Siberia near Irkutsk  studied dance, first ballet under Madame Udelstova, did walk on roles for Ufa Opera House, became apprentice member of corps de ballet  1958 studied at Leningrad Choreographic (Kirov) School, stage debut at Kirov Theatre, Leningrad  1964 staged first complete ballet  1977 world premier of Romeo and Juliet at the London Festival Ballet  1982 his production of Romeo and Juliet was filmed at Teatro alla Scalla, Milan

The Royal Ballet Filmed in 1966 Choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan Nureyev performed Romeo

R&J Alterations Romeo Must Die Romeo and Juliet What Became of Jack and Jill The Secret Sex Lives of Romeo and Juliet West Side Story

Romeo Must Die Starring: Jet Li, Aaliyah, Delroy Lindo, Russell Wong The story is moved to present day Oakland, California where the conflict arises between the Chinese mafia and an African American gang. Han Sing (Jet Li in the Romeo role) is investigating the death of his brother and in the process falls for a black mobster’s daughter (Aaliyah). 2000

Romeo and Juliet Romeo: Kel Mitchel, Juliet: Fran de Leon, Mercutio/Narrator: Conrad Cimarra A retelling of Romeo and Juliet from the point of view of Mercutio 2000

What Became of Jack and Jill Starring: Vanessa Howard, Mona Washbourne, Paul Nicholas, Peter Copley Modernized comedic re-telling. Also known as Romeo and Juliet ’

The Secret Sex Lives of Romeo and Juliet Romeo: Forman Shane, Juliet: Dicora Carse Also known as Juliet’s Desire 1968

West Side Story Starring: Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris The film version of the Broadway musical that sets the story in 1950’s New York City with Beymer’s Tony and Wood’s Maria as the star-crossed lovers trying to make love work amidst gang warfare between the Polish and the Puerto Ricans. With songs by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. Winner of 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Supporting Acting for Moreno and Chakiris. 1961

Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet  Like Nureyev, Zeffirelli chose to explore new realms with the cinematic production of Romeo and Juliet  Less Victorian more Italian  Balcony scene more realistic

Discussion Question  Does the change in language, setting, situation affect the underlying principles of the play from which it is based?

Works Cited Adaptations of Romeo and Juliet. Awery. Romeo and Juliet. Dir. Paul Czinner. With Rudolf Nureyev, Margot Fonteyn Rudolf Nureyev. Official Website The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Shakespeare. Ed. Laurie Rozakis. New York. 1999