Before Christmas Maggi and I agreed to go to Convent Garden with Bernard to see Sergei Prokofiev‘s Romeo and Juliet. We met up with Bernard at Pinner station and travelled down to the Royal Opera House arriving just before 12:30 for the performance which started at 1:30 pm.
We had a drink and sandwiches in the Paul Hamlyn Hall before taking our seats. We had paid £108 each for a position which had a view slightly obscured by the balcony, but we had plenty of leg room. If I leaned forward I could see the whole of the stage. This was unlike the previous time I had accompanied Bernard where we sat in the slips and half the stage was out of view.
The ballet is divided into three acts with two 20 minute intermissions. During the first act which lasts for an hour I had started to drift off to sleep, but I only missed a little bit of the music and dance. Thankfully I stayed awake for 90% of the performance. I found the music enchanting very warm to reflect the love scenes at other times it reflected the fighting between the Montagues and the Capulets. For someone who doesn’t really appreciate dancing I was captivated by the performance of the Juliet played by Fumi Kaneko. Her interpretation, her athleticism and the actual beauty of her dancing can only be described as magical. I came away utterly enthusiastic about having just seen it.
When the lights went up we made our way to the exit and instead of waiting for the lift which would probably take ages Bernard said he was happy to walk down. Unfortunately after only a few steps Bernard fell down. He didn’t hurt himself and landed on his arm on the carpeted floor. He rested there until he felt OK enough to get up slowly. In the meantime the health and safety people had arrived and asked him, his name, telephone number and which seat he had been sitting in. He answered all their questions without any hesitation. Remarkable for a man of over 100.
He was still a bit shaky when we sat down at the Ballerina restaurant next door to the Opera House where he had booked a table. However we had our meal of spaghetti and made our way home safely. I offered to take him home from our house, but he said he was fine and Maggi said please call when you get back so we know you are safe. He called shortly after we returned and said how much he had enjoyed the day out except the fall.