Romeo and Juliet

The Capulets and Montagues are sworn enemies. Yet it is love at first sight for Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet when they meet each other at the Capulet ball, into which Romeo has snuck. The two fall in love and they profess their devotion to each other at Juliet’s balcony. They secretly get married.   

The stakes are raised for the young couple when Romeo avenges the death of his friend Mercutio who has been killed by Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin. For this, Romeo is exiled from Verona. Meanwhile, Juliet’s parents are forcing her to marry another suitor. In order to be together, Romeo and Juliet must risk it all.

Interesting fact: Prokoviev originally gave it a happy ending but Soviet censors insisted on it being changed to faithful to Shakespeare’s play.    

Prokofiev’s evocative music sets the scene for stolen romantic moments and deadly feuds and sweeps the ballet towards its inevitable and tragic conclusion. Perhaps most recognisable is the ‘Dance of the Knights’ – the music that accompanies the Montagues and the Capulets as they enter the ball in which the two lovers first meet. 

 

The Royal Ballet 

Choreography: Kenneth MacMillan 

Music: Sergey Prokofiev 

Cast: To be advised 

Running time: 210 minutes, Two intervals 

 

Doors open: 6.30pm.  Transmission begins: 7.15pm 

19:15-22:45 20 Mar 25

Adult: £15.00

Child: £10.00