SHAKESPEARE'S ENDURING TRAGEDY
Sir Kenneth MacMillan's interpretation of Shakespeare's enduring romantic tragedy has become one of ABT's signature productions. The story of Verona's tragic star-crossed lovers is weaved throughout a rich dance tapestry, with Renaissance Italy providing an elegant and period-perfect background. The original production starred Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev in the lead roles, making it one of ballets most enduring and culturally important productions.
THE STORY BEHIND THE BALLET
Two warring families in Renaissance Italy cannot thwart the love between two of it's youngest and innocent family members, when they meet at a masquerade ball. Romeo of the family Montague, convinces Juliet of the rival family Capulet to elope in secret, where the elderly Friar hopes that their marriage will be the key to everlasting peace between the two factions.
Tragically their married life is over before it begins as Romeo is antagonised into killing Tybalt, Juliet's cousin when the latter murders Mercutio, friend to Romeo. Romeo must leave Verona in exile, and leave Juliet behind to marry the eligible Paris. But Juliet concocts a plan with the Friar; she will feign death by poisoning, and wait for Romeo to steal her away once the Friar's word reaches him.
Alas, it is not to be as the news of Juliet's death reaches Romeo before the letter. He buys true poison and sneaks into Juliet's resting place, where he drinks the phial - just in time for Juliet to wake up. Bereft at seeing her Romeo dead, she curses the heavens and kills herself using his dagger - a terrible price for two families to pay for their senseless feud.
