Forget everything you thought you knew about romance—Backyard Cinema's Romeo and Juliet redefines all we know about love!
If you've ever visited Albert Hall, you're already aware of its striking architecture, but the candlelit arrangement created by Backyard Cinema elevated its beauty to a whole new level. Fans of Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet will recognise the iconic altar scene where Romeo tragically ends his life over the death of his love, and Albert Hall’s recreation of this alter was nothing short of breathtaking. From entering the venue, the neon pink and blue lights immersed us straight away into a romantic evening. The audience seemed to be mostly couples, and I’m not surprised… !
We arrived just before the night began and enjoyed a delicious vegan bratwurst while we waited. The atmosphere was enchanting as the choir took the stage to the soundtrack of Radiohead’s "Talk Show Host". They began a powerful rendition of the iconic soundtrack from the 1996 film, alongside spoken passages from Shakespeare’s original play. Each song featured a different soloist, showcasing the raw talent of each choir member individually. The opening version of "Young Hearts Run Free" began the night in a lighthearted way, ultimately making the heartbreak in later songs more vivid. The crowd were encouraged to get up and dance along with the choir and this invitation was met with enthusiasm; fuelled by a collective love for the films soundtrack- who can resist Candi Staton?
I'll admit I had a different expectation of how the night would work. I had assumed that the live choir would sing alongside the film instead of before and after and yet I was pleasantly surprised by the format. It allowed both the skill of the singers and the visually stunning nature of the film to be appreciated separately, with an appreciation of how the two compliment one another.
My personal favourite "I'm Kissing You" exceeded expectations. The soloist's haunting vocals filled the hall with a depth and intensity that perfectly mirrored the love of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers. Anyone familiar with the song is aware of the difficulty of the vocals yet the choir moved through the song with ease, sending the crowd into a trance of awe-struck wonder. The choir exited the stage, and the film began!
Hilarious and heartbreaking, Baz Luhrhmann’s Romeo and Juliet requires no justification in its genius. To watch a film I admire so deeply in such beautiful settings amongst people who share the same love was definitely an experience to remember.
Following the interval, the choir reentered the stage and continued to deliver an exceptional rendition of more hits from the films soundtrack. This time the songs matched the tone of the second half of the film, preparing the crowd for tragedy. The final choir performance was as heart wrenching as the death of the lovers, heart wrenching in its conclusion and moving in its delivery.
Choir accompanied film screenings are definitely something everyone should be looking out for… this was my first backyard cinema experience, and it definitely won’t be my last. Soundtracks can make or break a film and to see them performed live alongside really elevates the importance of good music within cinema. The Romeo and Juliet backyard cinema experience definitely gave me a new sense of respect for the beauty of the soundtrack and the choirs performance gave it more than justice.
As always, we will see you at the front!
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