Why it matters: Lost Dog's reimagined Romeo and Juliet offers audiences a refreshingly honest look at love and ageing, perfect for theatre newcomers and dance enthusiasts alike, when it arrives at DanceEast on Friday, 26 September.
The details: With Lost Dog's blend of dance, theatre and comedy, this performance reveals the real story of Romeo and Juliet. It turns out they didn't die in a tragic misunderstanding - they grew up and lived happily ever after. Well, they lived at least.
Now they're 40-ish, at least one of them is in the grips of a midlife crisis, they feel constantly mocked by their teenage selves and haunted by the pressures of being the poster couple for romantic love. They have decided to confront their current struggles by putting on a performance about themselves. Their therapist told them it was a terrible idea.
Directed by award-winning director and choreographer Ben Duke, the production takes on our cultural obsession with youth and our inevitable issues with longevity. The performance contains references to and descriptions of violence and suicide, as well as pregnancy and childbirth, with occasional instances of swearing and sexual references.
What they're saying: "They dance and talk their way through a blissfully wry, subverted version of Romeo and Juliet," wrote Judith Mackrell in The Guardian.
For context: The show runs for approximately 70 minutes with no interval, making it an accessible introduction to contemporary dance theatre. Lost Dog opened the production with a three-week London run split between Battersea Arts Centre and The Place, which coincided with Valentine's Day 2018.
What's next: The performance takes place on Friday, 26 September at 19:30, with tickets from £18 and concessions from £14. The show is suitable for ages 12 and above.
Lost Dog is also hosting a special dance workshop created specifically for participants aged 50 and over.
The bottom line: This clever, funny and poignant reimagining of Shakespeare's classic offers both entertainment and insight, making it perfect for anyone curious about contemporary dance or looking for a fresh perspective on one of literature's most famous love stories.
