Gulbenkian

Description

Romeo and Juliet was Kenneth MacMillan’s first full-evening ballet and from its premiere in 1965 has been one of The Royal Ballet’s signature works, popular all over the world.

 

At the beginning of the ballet MacMillan’s crowd scenes teem with life and colour. However, once Romeo and Juliet meet, everything else on stage can only be scenery for their story. Three great pas de deux: the meeting in the ballroom, the balcony scene and the morning after the wedding eloquently convey the narrative: adolescent shyness and fascination; the headlong rush of love declared, and the grief of parting.

 

The final scene in the tomb, a pas de deux with a lifeless partner, is devastating. Nicholas Georgiadis’s earthy Renaissance designs, with some of the original details recently restored, are the perfect backdrop to this tragic tale of ill-starred lovers.

 

Pre-programme begins 7.15pm GMT
Curtains up 7.30pm GMT
Total Running Time 172 minutes including 2 x 20 minute intervals

Tickets £15