Ballet
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet turns Shakespeare's most famous love story into pure dance. It has sword fights, a masked ball, and a balcony scene that many people call the most romantic in ballet. The Prokofiev score alone is worth the ticket.
Fast facts
- Composer
- Sergei Prokofiev
- Choreographer
- Several notable versions exist, including Leonid Lavrovsky, Kenneth MacMillan, and John Cranko
- Premiere
- 1938, Brno (early staging); the well known Lavrovsky version premiered in 1940
- Structure
- Three acts
- Running time
- About 2 hours 45 minutes with intervals
The story
In the city of Verona, two families, the Montagues and the Capulets, are locked in a bitter feud. Romeo, a Montague, falls instantly in love with Juliet, a Capulet, at a masked ball. The young couple marries in secret, but a street fight leaves Romeo's friend dead and Romeo banished for revenge. A desperate plan to reunite the lovers goes wrong, and the story ends with both Romeo and Juliet dying, a tragedy that finally shocks their families into peace.
What Romeo and Juliet is famous for
- the balcony pas de deux
- Prokofiev's Dance of the Knights
- the sword fighting scenes
- its Shakespeare story
Companies that perform Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet is in the repertoire of companies including American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet, The Royal Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, The National Ballet of Canada.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it based on the Shakespeare play?
Yes. It follows the same story of two young lovers from feuding families, told entirely through dance and Prokofiev's music instead of spoken words.
Why are there different versions?
Several famous choreographers have created their own stagings over the years, so the steps and staging can differ a lot from one company to another even though the story stays the same.
What is the Dance of the Knights?
It is a bold, heavy piece of music used for the ballroom scene. It is so recognizable that many people know it even if they have never seen the ballet.
Who composed Romeo and Juliet?
Romeo and Juliet was composed by Sergei Prokofiev.
How long is Romeo and Juliet?
Romeo and Juliet runs about 2 hours 45 minutes with intervals.