Monday, October 13, 2008
Dance Review: 'Radio & Juliet' puts new spin on Shakespeare
PostGazette: "It wasn't a typical dance audience that filtered into the sold-out opening of the Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts on Friday night at the Byham Theater. The mostly tech-friendly 20-somethings were attracted by the unorthodox pairing of British alternative rock group Radiohead with Shakespeare in Ballet Maribor's production of 'Radio & Juliet.'"
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7 comments:
I really appreciate this review; I am by no means a connoisseur of dance and I definitely walked "Radio & Juliet" with the mentioned sense of alienation. The movement was gorgeous, the lighting superb, and every flash of purple lining on the shirt-less black suits added a wonderful hint of color to the starkly black and white world. Even though I like Radiohead, I couldn't for the life of me comprehend what was going on most of the time. The story was told in reverse...then reversed again and told forwards? I'm still not sure. I do agree that it focused mostly on Juliet which made for some amazing images on stage.
I was blown away by this show. I love dance production so much, and I thought that this was incredibly well done. When the show began I thought that it was going to be a very white-light type of show. But then, out of the blue, the music picked up and we got color. This gave me an adrenaline rush. The design team worked incredibly well together, they were able to really affect the emotions of the audience.
I loved the abstractness of this show. There were no words for me to express what I felt after seeing this... This production was the first ballet i have ever seen and i never really thought that dance was a real conventional way to convey emotion but it was.. PLUS having radiohead playing gave so much to the performance. I thought the movie projections were absolutely beautiful, they were beautifully conducted and shown in a manner that made the audience feel real, hard emotions. I am in love with ballets now and I can thank this abstract production of Romeo and Juliet.
I really enjoyed this show; however, the abstractness and quick changes of plot direction (it being in reverse, then not, then in reverse...) as a bit confusing. Still, though, once I was able to sit back, relax, and take in the raw emotional qualities of the show, I was able to pick out parts of the R&J storyline.
I was also impressed, especially after seeing The Other Shore, by how much is able to be achieved through minimal set and costumes, but instead with lighting and movement. The "almost white" light was beautiful, and the ability the designer had to evoke feeling strictly through very subtle, minimal color, but changing angle, and shaping the light was excellent! Nods to the projection/video designer...those were very neat clips and worked nicely with the dance of the show.
Very cool Ballet.
This ballet was amazing. I never thought that ballet could be so modernized and seemingly mecanical but beautiful at the same. The movement and cherography was amazing. Five dancers performing such quick movements at the same time blew my mind. I really apprecitated the work of the dancers.
it's a shame this show was only here for 2 nights. i've heard nothing but good reviews and was eager to see the show myself, but i'll have to wait till next time (if there is one)
I found this review usefull and well-written while also informative and enticing. I did not see Radio and Juliet, but felt, aftr hearig accounts from my peers and professors and now reading the review, that I have a firm grasp on the concept and exciting atmosphere of this show.
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