"Romeo & Juliet" revisited
Every ballet company has its own version of Romeo and Juliet.
Ballet Manila, however, now has four. The world premiere of Martin Lawrance’s contemporary take on the Shakespeare classic last February left the Philippine dance community buzzing with excitement. As BM artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde described it: “It’s not your grandmother’s Romeo and Juliet!”
Lawrance’s version is set in present-day Philippines with the digital landscape of the text capital of the world heavily incorporated into the contemporary movement. It is dramatic. It is modern. And it is very Filipino.
Taking on the title roles in their full-length debut as the star-crossed lovers were principal dancers Jessica Pearl Dames and Joshua Enciso.
In this clip, we revisit this moment of triumph when Ballet Manila opened its 25th season on its 28th year with Martin Lawrance’s Romeo & Juliet.
