Since first premiering as a play in the late 16th century, Romeo and Juliet has evolved into one of the most famous creations in the world. Indeed, while originally written by William Shakespeare more than 400 years ago, this timeless tale of two young lovers whose families hate each other has had an immense cultural influence, with its story adapted into movies, orchestral work, paintings, various musicals, and numerous books.
Now audiences in the National Capital Region can enjoy this classic saga on the dance stage as The National Ballet of Canada brings its interpretation of this memorable romance to the National Arts Centre. Ahead of this three-night run that opens this evening, Apt613 spoke to Ottawa-born dancer Alexander Skinner, aged 25, who will play the role of a girlfriend’s partner in the ballroom scene and a carnival man in the second act.
Alexander Skinner. Photo: Karolina Kuras. Courtesy of The National Ballet of Canada.
“This version [of Romeo and Juliet] is unlike any other I’ve seen,” says Skinner in an email. “It relies heavily on the dancers and choreography to tell the story. A big responsibility for all on stage, and especially for the lead characters, as it is as artistically demanding as it is physically.”
Renowned Russian choreographer Alexei Ratmansky created this ballet interpretation in 2011 for the National Ballet of Canada’s 60th anniversary. The public can look forward to a performance highlighting the story’s dramatic moments, which include a captivating fight sequence and a memorable balcony pas-de-deux.
“I think audiences can expect all of the classic nuances of story—comedy contrasted with grief, love in the midst of conflict, desire versus duty, etc.—[with] a full stage of dancing and a thoughtful interpretation of the tragic tale everyone knows so well,” says Skinner, who started dancing ballet at the age of 13.
Besides dancing, the Ottawa-raised Skinner has a fascinating background. In addition to a love for languages—he speaks English, French, and Italian and is also learning Korean—he was a journalist for his high school newspaper while also playing soccer and hockey before learning dance. As for his dancing career, he trained at The School of Dance in Ottawa and Canada’s National Ballet School in Toronto before joining The National Ballet of Canada as an RBC Apprentice in 2017.
Alexander Skinner in Swan Lake. Photo: Karolina Kuras. Courtesy of The National Ballet of Canada.
When asked about his future plans, he replies that he would like to learn Japanese and Spanish at some point, as well as dance for as long as possible. That said, he also recognizes that he has time to pursue different activities.
“If there’s any lesson I’ve taken with me from the last few pandemic years, it’s not to get too far ahead of myself, so it’s hard to say at the moment,” says Skinner, whose performance at the NAC will be the second time he dances in a Romeo and Juliet production. “I would like to dance for as long as I can. It has been my dream for so long, and I want to see it all the way through. With that said, I am also feeling a calling towards the world of writing. It’s long been a passion of mine, and a pastime I turn to often. It would be wonderful to find a way to combine the two.”
Romeo and Juliet is on at the NAC’s Southam Hall February 2–4 at 8pm. Tickets are now sold out.
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