Bringing an Iconic Shakespeare Character to Life

The greatest love story ever told is returning to Newcastle Theatre Royal this Autumn with Northern Ballet’s electrifying production of Romeo & Juliet (Wed 23 – Sat 26 Oct 2024).

In the ultimate tale of forbidden love, two young people risk everything to be together. With glorious dancers, eye-catching sets and Prokofiev’s timeless music, this is ballet at its most dramatic, romantic and intense.

We caught up with one of Northern Ballet’s Premier Dancers Joseph Taylor, who plays Romeo in the production, to find out more about his preparations for the role ahead of the company’s arrival in Newcastle...

What can audiences expect when they come and see Northern Ballet’s production of Romeo & Juliet?

They can certainly expect to be taken on a rollercoaster of emotions. One of the most famous love stories of all time is in fact a tragedy and within a couple of hours Northern Ballet brings this turbulent story to life with passion, a sense of realism and beauty.

Did you study the original Shakespeare script to prepare for your role in the ballet?

We worked with Sir Gregory Doran, former Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company to study and learn more from Shakespeare’s text. It was great to delve deeper into an understanding of the story and the complexities of relations between key characters.

Once we started to put scenes from the ballet together with choreography it was nice to see some of the pages of the play coming to life and also to notice moments certain movements were inspired by.

What is your favourite dance from the show?

The ‘Dance of the Knights’ has possibly the most iconic music of Prokofiev’s score, but I would have to say that the duet between Romeo and Juliet at her balcony is my favourite part to perform. It is also the emotional highlight before things begin to fall to pieces.

You use real swords in the show, is that fun?

I would say it’s fun now that we are rehearsed and have performed a few weeks of the tour! However, during the early rehearsal period it was quite challenging and scary. I dance both roles of Romeo and Tybalt so I have to be able to reverse the entire lightning-fast fight scenes in my head from show to show and that requires a lot of concentration.

How often do you have to rehearse?

We spent about eight weeks putting four casts of Romeo & Juliet together (we alternate roles each performance). Now we have to rehearse daily to maintain all of our quality and stamina on the production whilst at the same time, preparing for the many other ballets we will perform over the coming months.

Have you got any pre-show rituals?

I have to refuel my body with a carb heavy meal at least 2.5 hours before the show, make sure I get some decent rest and then a shower to warm up my body again before I turn into Romeo with my costume and make up. I wear lace up leather boots for Romeo that take me at least 5 minutes to get on! After that, I had to the stage about 45 minutes before the show starts to stretch and get my body moving and ready for what it is about to go through emotionally and physically.

If you could be in any theatre show, what would it be?

The answer to this question would require me to be able to sing, and unfortunately, I do not have this talent, but I love the musical Miss Saigon. So maybe I’ll just have to stick to being an audience member.

What are the demands of being on tour?

Seven shows a week is not easy. I have been with Northern Ballet for almost 12 years, and it doesn’t get any easier. It’s physically draining and each show I’m looking to go out there and perform my best, but it’s this challenge that keeps us coming back for more as artists. To take the audience on this ride with us and hear the reaction at the end makes it all worth it.

Romeo & Juliet plays Newcastle Theatre Royal (Wed 23 – Sat 26 Oct 2024). Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

Featured image: Joseph Taylor in Romeo and Juliet. Photo Tristram Kenton