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There is a palpable change as soon as she encounters Romeo at the ball; she is struck by something missing from her meeting with Paris: the first thunderbolt of love. Ed and Lauren revel in the joy this thunderbolt brings and interpret the choreography and the music just beautifully in the ballroom pdd and, more importantly, the balcony pdd. When the thunderbolt develops into a dark, doom-laden storm in Act 2, its consequence (Romeo's departure) at the beginning of Act 3 is again manifested in sad and dramatic dancing in the bedroom pdd. Lauren was so dejected after Ed's exit that I had to restrain myself from yelling 'go after him, Juliet...just run through that door with him'. Since she couldn't (and I've never understood why Juliet doesn't just run off with Romeo, although I'm sure there are practical reasons; I must check the text again), we were enthralled watching as her mind ticked over all her options, which were, basically, not many...then the terrible realisation of what she was about to do when drinking the poison. The horror of it emanated from her every gesture, every facial expression, until I was glad that she finally had some relief from her torment when she fell into her 'necro sleep'.
 

The final scene in the tomb was heart-rending. Ed's utter distress and dejection as he danced with Lauren's 'dead' body was almost chilling, and Lauren's devastation upon discovering Ed lying dead, his lips as cold as the floor on which he lay, sent shivers down my spine and a lump up into my throat. Here is a Juliet whom I hope to be able to watch again and again over the coming years, and watch Lauren's interpretation change with time passing. Mara Galeazzi said recently that her reading of the role has changed as she's got older, and I fully expect that Lauren's will too, and will become even richer. I must just mention her bourrees backwards in Act 3; I can't think of a more impressive rendering of these steps anywhere in recent memory. They were quick, fleet-footed and lovely. I am so glad Lauren got the loud ovation she observed; I think everyone there realised that they had experienced something very special.

Ed Watson has improved his interpretation of the role quite manifestly since I saw his debut two years ago. His partnering skills are much more assured and his dramatic interpretation more mature. Again, his transition from love-struck teenager to tragic hero is very believable...and no-one in the company, either male or female, has legs like his! Those never-ending natural extensions are a wonder to behold!

Brian Maloney was an excellent Mercutio; cute and cheeky even in his death throes, until the very end, when the realisation dawns on him that his young life is being cut short by this ridiculous feud that doesn't directly involve him in the first place. His final two gestures, in which he points accusingly at Tybalt, then at Romeo, just scream 'a pox on both your houses'.
 

The ROH orchestra was in great form, giving a very effective account of Prokofiev's wonderful score.

On another note...was it just me, or did it seem like The House was being invaded by poltergeists last night? All the way through the performance I could hear thumps, things being dropped and twice there was the sound of breaking glass somewhere just outside the amphitheatre. Worst of all...my brother and his pregnant wife, who were located on the right side of the stalls circle, had to be taken with some other people on a sort of 'Spinal Tap-esque' circuitous, backstairs route back to their seats at the end of the first interval because there was someone so drunk that the police had to be called to eject him!! This is the first time my brother has been to the ballet for 20 years; he said that in the many rock concerts he's been to recently there has been no trouble with anyone in the crowd....he comes to the Royal Opera House for the first time in ages and within 90 minutes of his arrival they are ejecting a drunk!! Outrageous... what on earth is the world coming to??!! Whatever the answer to that question, thank goodness there is still beauty in it as witnessed last night within the same building.