Family production 'Romeo en Juul'

In the corridors of deSingel, it is extra busy on this winter Sunday, noisy, full of life, expectant too: what are we going to see and hear?

The willingness to believe in the illusion. The hall fills up. The soft, somewhat diffuse lighting is warm and inviting. On the program an ancient story, Shakespeare's tragedy 'Romeo and Juliet'. Love is a universal theme that is given broader scope and interpretation here. The narrative of 'Romeo and Juliet' connects not only two rival families but here also a girl with dark skin and a boy with white skin. I am somewhat charmed by my eight-year-old granddaughter. Before the show starts, she asks me the question: "Grandma, do you know what it's about? Well, they are two enemies and yet they love each other!" Romeo and Juliet in a nutshell. The little girl had done her homework.

Staging

On stage, on the garden side, stands a high scaffolding with two levels. 'Romeo and Juliet' cannot do without a balcony scene. The musicians appear casually dressed. It's also quite a switch when you see the conductor take his place dressed in jeans, a hoodie and sneakers. Comfortable and recognizable for the young audience.

'West Side Story' flashes through my mind for a moment. The orchestra plays with precision and transparency. Jelle Stassyns, who provided the music, mixed classical compositions with recognizable tunes from, among others, K3, Adamo and Arabic rhythms, on which Romeo performs a traditional dance with energetic arm and foot movements, swaying hips and quick turns on his axis. Then Julia also appears on stage. Lost in thought, they collide with each other.

Actress/singer Sinay Bavurhe is a ravishing appearance with a unique voice and wonderful natural talent. With her singing abilities and uninhibited playing style, she captures the audience immediately. The orchestra literally moves along as part of the scenography. The brass players play powerful motifs. The melodic material is more for the strings. Brass and strings present themselves as the rival families. Romeo is a Montague, while Julia is a Capulet. The two get to know each other. Romeo, who has to stand at the market and sell fruit, wants to become a writer. They find a kindred spirit in each other. The bitter struggle between their families is not for them. Julia reveals that she is called Juul by her girlfriends. They dream of a carefree life on a distant island.

Cleverly done is when the brass and strings position themselves opposite each other on the front stage. They put the hoods of their hoodies on and approach each other threateningly. Both protagonists walk around lost between them, looking for each other. A moment later, Romeo shows off his talent as a rapper. He hammers on brotherhood between peoples, a crucial element for a peaceful and harmonious society. He has already told Juul that his name is actually not Romeo but Romi.

The music is fragmentary and aphoristic in character. With the constant movements of the musicians, it is quite a task for the conductor to keep everything in order. The strings later stand in groups together with their heads facing each other. They gossip away. By now the atmosphere is tense. The threat gains extra force from the sounds of a euphonium and a slide trumpet. Juul and Romi flee to the balcony. Must hide. Very beautiful is the solo of a clarinet. Boat refugees are very present in this time segment. Romi and Juul hoist the sails very high on the tower and sail to their dream island. Here no sad ending but hope for a beautiful life without hatred and racial discrimination. A peaceful future breathes music.

Teamwork

Conductor Txemi Etxebarria communicated subtly with the musicians and managed to generate both euphoria and energy and intimacy. For the musicians a tour de force to both act and play.

'Romeo and Juul', a fresh, spicy, heartwarming and imaginative performance that captivated young and old. A layered work about distress, fear and love. But this performance also contains stepping stones towards awareness, towards reflection and connection, a plea for social cohesion. A moment of contemplation too about what is happening in the world. Both visually and auditorily aphoristic pieces of a mosaic cleverly fitted together with exuberant applause as a reward.