Most recent performance
There are currently no scheduled performances of Romeo and Juliet. It was last on stage 26 March—11 June 2019 as part of the Spring 2018/19 season.
The Story
Romeo and Juliet fall passionately in love, but their families are caught up in a deadly feud. They marry in secret, but tragic circumstances lead Romeo to fight and kill Juliet's cousin Tybalt. As punishment, he is banished from the city.
Read more… (Contains spoilers)
Background
Kenneth MacMillan's passionate choreography for Romeo and Juliet shows The Royal Ballet at its dramatic finest. Sergey Prokofiev's iconic score provides the basis for the ballet's romantic pas de deux and vibrant crowd scenes, while 16th-century Verona is created by Nicholas Georgiadis's magnificent designs.
In 1965, MacMillan's Romeo and Juliet was given its premiere at Covent Garden by The Royal Ballet and was an immediate success: the first night was met with rapturous applause, which lasted for 40 minutes, and an incredible 43 curtain calls. The title roles were danced by Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn, although the ballet had been created on Christopher Gable and Lynn Seymour. It has been performed by The Royal Ballet more than four hundred times since, as well as touring the world, and has become a true classic of the 20th-century ballet repertory.
News and features
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Your Reaction: What did you think of The Royal Ballet's Romeo and Juliet live in cinemas?
11 June 2019
Kenneth MacMillan's 20th-century ballet masterpiece was relayed live to cinemas around the world.
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Your Reaction: What did you think of The Royal Ballet's Romeo and Juliet 2019?
27 March 2019
Audience and press reviews of Kenneth MacMillan's 20th-century ballet masterpiece.
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Watch LIVE: The Royal Ballet rehearse Romeo and Juliet on 13 March 2019
11 March 2019
Join the Company as they rehearse Kenneth MacMillan's Shakespeare-inspired ballet.
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Watch: 6 of the most romantic ballets
13 February 2017
We've scoured the repertory in search of the most romantic ballets for Valentine's Day.
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5 of our favourite ballet pas de deux
14 October 2016
Dramatic and romantic moments in ballets including Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet are classical dance’s beating heart.
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Kenneth MacMillan: The angry young man of ballet
27 May 2016
The British choreographer transformed classical dance by looking to the influences of the theatre.