Romeo & Juliet at The Palace Theatre: Flipping Amazing

We never did ballet at school. I wouldn’t have known where to start. In fact, I’ve often thought ballet is something plenty of people would never consider going to see.

Shakespeare? Yep, probably not for me either. And yet I’m passionate about theatre. I love it.
So last night, English National Ballet’s Romeo & Juliet at Manchester’s Palace Theatre blew me away.

As I queued outside in the rain, I heard someone mention the intervals.

Oh God, I thought. Am I going to be bored senseless?

It was busy, though. Clearly, this was popular. And looking around, I didn’t feel out of place. Whatever everyone’s experience of ballet, we were all there for a good night out.

Then the conductor appeared above the orchestra pit, looking ready for the time of their life.

A full orchestra. In the theatre. Right below me.

Crikey.

What followed was a spectacle. The sets, the costumes, the dancing — and the acting.
What I hadn’t expected was just how much personality and humour came through. This wasn’t simply about impressive movements. There were characters, little exchanges and things happening all over the stage.

It was fun, cheeky and a little bit camp in places. Then, when the tragedy arrived, I was genuinely moved.

It probably helps to know the bones of the story. Feuding families. Two young people falling in love with precisely the person their families wouldn’t want them to. Some very bad timing.

But the dancing told that story. I wasn’t sitting there wishing somebody would speak.

Time flew. There was something to watch at every turn. This wasn’t Shakespeare kept at a distance. It was family drama. At times, almost a TV soap opera — flirting, arguments, loyalties and people getting involved in other people’s business.

The flirty lads brought plenty of cheek. And then there was the chirpy Nurse, played by Laura Hussey, whose part in the story becomes so important.

These felt like people, not just dancers working their way through a famous story.

Rentaro Nakaaki played Romeo, with Julia Conway as Juliet. Both were stunning. But what stayed with me was the love and vulnerability they brought to those roles. I believed every moment
And having that live orchestra beneath it all made the evening feel even bigger. I could see the spectacle in front of me, but I could feel the music too.

By the end, I was on my feet before I’d even thought about it.

So much for worrying whether ballet was for me.

Sod it. This deserved it.

The evening also reminded me why I’d love to hear more performers chatting on local radio. Not everyone listening already thinks ballet is for them. A proper conversation could be the thing that gets Jason and Carla listening at home to think, “Shall we give that a go?”

After last night, I’d want them to.

If you’ve never seen a ballet, go and see this. No, really. Push yourself beyond “that’s not for me”.
I went in wondering whether I’d be bored senseless. I came out mesmerised.

Five stars. Flipping amazing.

Phil’s thoughts on Romeo & Juliet after the performance