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John Cranko – Sergei Prokofyev

Romeo and Juliet

Duration
2 h 50 min, Incl. 2 intervals (25 min)
When
20.1.2024 – 7.2.2024
Where
Main Stage
Genre
Ballet
Price range
20–122 €
Age recommendation
10+

A ballet of the world’s most famous love story

Shakespeare’s immortal story about the young lovers of two rival families and their tragic fate has inspired artists through the ages. John Cranko’s choreography to Sergei Prokofyev’s powerful music is one of the most famous ballet versions of Romeo and Juliet.

The tragic story of the star-crossed lovers from two rival families has touched the entire world since Shakespeare’s times. The stunning ballet, which combines delicate duets with fast-paced, even humorous scenes is guaranteed to delight adult audiences.

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synopsis

Two rival families, the Capulets and the Montagues, are battling for supremacy in the city of Verona. Romeo, the son of Lord Montague, professes his love to Rosaline. The Capulets, meanwhile, organise a ball, in which Juliet, the daughter of Lord Capulet, is to meet her betrothed, Count Paris. Rosaline, followed by the masked Romeo and his friends, also arrives at the party. Juliet notices Romeo, and the two fall in love at first sight. Juliet’s cousin Tybalt is suspicious about Romeo’s identity. As Juliet dreams of Romeo on her balcony, he sneaks into the garden and the two swear to be true to each other forever.

Verona is celebrating the carnival. Juliet receives an invite to see Friar Lawrence, who marries her and Romeo. As Romeo returns to the carnival, Tybalt stirs up an argument and challenges Romeo’s friend Mercutio to a duel. The duel ends in Mercutio’s death.

Romeo leaves Verona at dawn. Juliet’s parents present her to Count Paris. The distraught Juliet runs away to Friar Lawrence who gives her a potion for feigning her own death. Juliet pretends to accept Paris’s proposal and drinks the potion.

Friar Lawrence, however, hasn’t told Romeo about the deceptive plan. Romeo believes Juliet to be really dead and kills Paris and himself at her burial chamber.

As Juliet wakes up, he sees the dead body of Romeo by her side and kills herself, as she can’t live without him.

For a detailed synopsis and other background information, please see the programme leaflet.

creative team

Choreography
John Cranko
Music
Sergei Prokofjev
Conductor
Johannes Witt
Sets and costumes
Susan Benson
Lighting design
Steen Bjarke

cast

Julia
Hye Ji Kang
Romeo
Jun Xia
Romeo
Martin Nudo
Romeo
Patrik Holeček
Mercutio
Frans Valkama
Mercutio
Alfio Drago
Mercutio
Thomas Brun
Mercutio
Luciano Ghidoli
Benvolio
Thomas Brun
Benvolio
Giulio Diligente
Benvolio
David Rathbun
Tybalt
Sergei Popov
Paris
Sergei Popov

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