Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet
The greatest love story ever told – through ballet.
An ancient family feud casts a long shadow over the town of Verona. In this hothouse of tension, brawls are quick to break out and both sides get caught in the crossfire.
An ancient family feud casts a long shadow over the town of Verona. In this hothouse of tension, brawls are quick to break out and both sides get caught in the crossfire.
Royal Ballet and Opera Principal Julia Rausing Trust
John Burns CBE and Susan Burns OBE, Jonathan Caplan, Philipp Freise, Kenneth and Susan Green, Alan and Caroline Howard, Doug and Ceri King, Stephen and Dina Lucas, Lindsay and Sarah Tomlinson, the Royal Opera House Endowment Fund and Francesca Storey-Harris in memory of Judy Harris
Aud Jebsen
Young RBO is generously made possible by the Sir Lloyd and Lady Dorfman OBE, the Bunting Family, Sir Simon and Lady Robey, the John Browne Charitable Trust and the Laidlaw Opera Trust.
STAR-CROSSED LOVERS
The Capulets and Montagues are sworn enemies. Yet it is love at first sight for Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet when they meet each other at the Capulet ball, into which Romeo has snuck. The two fall in love and they profess their devotion to each other at Juliet’s balcony. They secretly get married.
The stakes are raised for the young couple when Romeo avenges the death of his friend Mercutio who has been killed by Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin. For this, Romeo is exiled from Verona. Meanwhile, Juliet’s parents are forcing her to marry another suitor. In order to be together, Romeo and Juliet must risk it all.
To find out more about Romeo and Juliet, including key plot points and background information: read our Romeo and Juliet Ballet Essentials page.
Background
Shakespeare’s timeless tale of star-crossed lovers is transformed in Kenneth MacMillan’s ‘mesmerising’ (Telegraph) ballet.
A modern ballet classic
Shakespeare’s great love story is brilliantly retold through this modern ballet classic celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025. The fervent longing of the star-crossed lovers is perfectly captured by Kenneth MacMillan’s impassioned choreography. The flourishing of young love is just as present in Romeo and Juliet's meeting on the balcony as in their final moments when they desperately cling to life in the tomb.
Prokofiev’s passionate score
Prokofiev’s evocative music sets the scene for stolen romantic moments and deadly feuds and sweeps the ballet towards its inevitable and tragic conclusion. Perhaps most recognisable is the ‘Dance of the Knights’ – the music that accompanies the Montagues and the Capulets as they enter the ball in which the two lovers first meet.
Cast and Creatives
Cast
The cast of this production may vary depending on performance date. Go to cast and dates to see these.
Creatives
Reviews
Access information for Romeo and Juliet
There is lift access and step-free routes to over 100 seats in the Stalls Circle, Balcony and Amphitheatre. There are 10 steps or fewer to some seats in the Stalls Circle, Balcony, Amphitheatre and the Donald Gordon Grand Tier. All seats in the Orchestra stalls are accessed by 9 steps or more. A handheld bell is rung by Front of House staff to signal guests to take their seats before a performance. The bell is loud and can be startling. The bell is rung approximately ten minutes before the show starts and at each interval.
An audio described guide for Romeo and Juliet is available on our SoundCloud.
We have an assistive listening system available to use.
Upcoming accessible performances of Romeo and Juliet:
There is an Audio Described performance on 10 May 2025 at 7.00pm with a Touch Tour before the performance at 6.00pm. Touch Tours must be booked by contacting boxoffice@roh.org.uk for tickets.
Join our Access Scheme for priority access performance tickets and to personalise your account for your access requirements.
See our Accessibility page for more information on access at the Royal Opera House.
Donate
The Royal Ballet and Opera is a charity and relies on your support. No matter the size, every gift is critical to our work and helps us to secure the future of ballet and opera.
Your donation will enable us to keep extraordinary work on our stages, inspire the next generation and support the Royal Ballet and Opera's community of artists, technicians and craftspeople.
Culture, crafted by contribution
Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation, a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales (Company number 480523) Charity Registered (Number 211775)