Romeo And Juliet - The Traveling Ballerina

Shakespeare’s most recognized tale of star-crossed lovers is coming to the big screen. At least in England. For one precious night only – December 16, 2019 – audiences can see Michael Nunn and William Trevitt’s Romeo and Juliet: Beyond Words featuring The Royal Ballet dancers William Bracewell and Francesca Hayward dancing the title characters. Kenneth MacMillan’s beloved version of this literary and ballet classic, Romeo and Juliet, will be set to an abridged (90-minute) version of Sergei Prokofiev’s original 1938 score recorded by the Orchestra of The Royal Opera House. This sounds like an overall sensory treat that I hope makes it to this side of the Atlantic.

Romeo and Juliet Film Trailer

Royal Winnipeg Ballet will perform Rudi van Dantzig’s Romeo & Juliet after being in a moratorium for 5 years, accompanied by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra playing Serge Prokofiev’s score. The production includes students and apprentices from the company’s school bringing the cast to a total of almost 75 dancers. Romeo and Juliet was van Dantzig’s first full-length ballet:

“Though no longer with us, he left behind a great legacy of works including this stunning production of Romeo & Juliet. Van Dantzig was an artist of the rarest calibre; a writer, dancer, and choreographer, whose aesthetic instincts were matched only by his strong opinions and political voice.”

– André Lewis, Artistic Director and CEO of RWBand

Romeo & Juliet will be at the Centennial Concert Hall in Winnipeg from February 13-17, 2019; more details can be found here. There are several complementary events that will also be held during this time period:

February 13-17 (pre-performances) – Chat with RWB artistic staff and local media thirty minutes before to each performance at the Centennial Concert Hall; free for Romeo & Juliet ticket holders.
February 13 & 15 (post-performance) – Immediately after the show, meet the RWB dancers, take photos with them, and receive autographs.
February 14 & 16 (post-performance) – Take a backstage tour. Space is limited and free tickets are available during intermission.
February 15 (post-performance) – RWB Book Club will discuss Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet a, comparing the play with the ballet.

Source: Royal Winnipeg Ballet | Featured Photo © David Cooper, Elizabeth Lamont and Ryan Vetter in Rudi van Dantzig’s Romeo & Juliet