A tragic tale of star-crossed lovers: Kenneth MacMillan's poignant ballet is a 20th-century classic.
Introduction
When Romeo and Juliet meet at a ball they fall passionately in love. But their families are sworn enemies, divided by a bitter feud. Can they stay together against a backdrop of hatred and hostility?
Background
Kenneth MacMillan brings a contemporary interpretation to Sergei Prokofiev's classic score. His version of the ballet draws out the emotional and psychological intensity at the heart of the tale. Romeo and Juliet contains three passionate pas de deux: from the lovers' first meeting and the famous balcony scene to the devastating final tragedy. The lovers' story is set against a wonderful evocation of 16th-century Verona: a bustling market place erupts into a violent sword fight and a lavish ball is held at an elegant mansion.
MacMillan's Romeo and Juliet first arrived at Covent Garden in 1965. Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn took the title roles. The performance received a rapturous reception, with 43 curtain calls and almost fotry minutes of applause. It has been at the heart of the Company’s repertory ever since, amassing more than four hundred performances. This classic production has been toured around the world. It was recently adapted for arena-scale performances at the O2 Arena, keeping MacMillan’s vision powerfully alive in the 21st century.
