This is a recent re-release of a well-known production. Although Fonteyn gets a bigger billing than Fracci, this is misleading. It is Fracci who plays Juliet. Fonteyn plays her mother in a character role with no dancing.

It has always surprised me that Nureyev, after being given Macmillan's famous Romeo and Juliet on a plate, chose to mount his own production so soon afterwards. His production could not have been more different. Gone is the Verismo style of Macmillan to be replaced by a more flashy, all-dancing performance. Whilst Macmillan has too much miming, this production has too little. The result is that the intimacy and the human quality of the drama is lost. The few intimate scenes are drowned out by the spectacular ensemble dance scenes.

The two pas de deux between Juliet and Romeo are a mere shadow of what Macmillan did. My impression is that Nureyev is uncomfortable with highly intimate choreography. In the first love dance, the two lovers keep their distance and hardly touch each other. The second pas de deux is a bit more intimate (it should be, as it set in Juliet's chamber) but it looked awkward and ungainly. Some of the choreography was excruciating. The wedding is danced out and looks ridiculous. There is also a lot of shamelessly gratuitous dancing for Nureyev.

I am also sorry to say that Fracci is not on her best form. She seems rather distant and charmless. But her dancing was exquisite. Nureyev is however on top form and it always a pleasure to see him. Also the dancing by the rest of the company is very good.

The overall impression is that of a tremendous spectacle but with very little warmth and genuine feeling. I think it would be very entertaining to see live. But to be frank, except for the music this production has no more artistic merit than Riverdance. Spectacle but not art and a step backwards from Macmillan.

However this production is preferable to the recent filming of Nureyev's Romeo and Juliet by the Paris Opera with Manuel Legris and Monique Lourdiers (NVC Arts 1995). This production has more refined choreography and superb sets (another masterpiece by Franca Squarciapino). But it suffers from bad direction and a too old Lourdiers (her make up looks terrible on television).

If you want a Romeo and Juliet on video, you should consider the two videos of Macmillan's version currently available (both with the Royal Ballet). One video is a film version with Fonteyn and Nureyev (1965). The other is with Alessandra Ferri and Wayne Eagling in a televised live performance (1984). Fonteyn is more exquisite and lyrical. But Ferri is more moving and achingly vulnerable in the main role. Both are highly recommended.

As far as I know only the Nureyev and Fonteyn with the Royal Ballet is available in the United States and is on the Kultur Label.

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