Shakespeare’s tragic tale of star-cross’d lovers is told through breathtaking, glorious dance in Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s iconic production of Romeo & Juliet.
Queensland Ballet is honoured to be the first company in Australia to present this celebrated work of 20th century dance.
With dazzling guest stars Tamara Rojo, Carlos Acosta and Steven McRae, also in the cast for selected performances are acclaimed Australian Ballet Principal Artist, Daniel Gaudiello, as Mercutio and former Principal, Steven Heathcote, as Lord Capulet.
MacMillan’s Romeo & Juliet is a magnificent and grand production, but the very human story at its heart is told with extraordinary intimacy. Whether in a lethal marketplace brawl or the blissful balcony pas de deux, the realistic and daring choreography resounds with raw emotional truth.
Celebrating the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s play and the 50th anniversary of the creation of this ballet, Romeo & Juliet will be a superlative, not-to-be missed, event.
Creatives
Sir Kenneth MacMillan – Choreography
Sir Kenneth MacMillan (1929 – 1992) created more than 60 ballets, including five full-length works, during a career of remarkable creativity. One of the most innovative choreographers of the 20th century, Sir Kenneth MacMillan was driven by a conviction that ballet should reflect contemporary realities and emotional truth. During a career of remarkable creativity, he created more than 60 ballets, including five full-length works. As well as his long association with the Royal Ballet as Director and Principal Choreographer, he created ballets in Stuttgart, served as Director at the Deutsche Oper Ballet in Berlin and was Artistic Associate of American Ballet Theatre and Houston Ballet.
John B Read – Lighting Designer
John B. Read was consultant lighting designer to The Royal Opera, The Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet from 1992 to 2005. He is largely responsible for establishing lighting as an integral part of dance presentation. John B Read works internationally in dance, opera, theatre and music stage. From 1992 to 2005, he was consultant lighting designer to the Royal Opera, the Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet. He has worked with such choreographers as Frederick Ashton, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Antony Tudor, Glen Tetley, Jerome Robbins, Rudolf Nureyev, Anthony Dowell, David Bintley, Natalia Makarova, Ronald Hynde, Wayne Eagling, Alastair Marriott, Ulysses Dove and Ashley Page.
Andrew Mogrelia – Conductor
Appointed Music Director and Principal Conductor in 2013, British conductor Andrew Mogrelia’s association with Queensland Ballet began in 2008, conducting Swan Lake. Named Principal Guest Conductor in 2009, he returned each year to conduct the Company’s December season. In 2013, he will conduct Cinderella, Giselle and The Nutcracker. Andrew has conducted many of Europe’s leading orchestras, including the Philharmonia, Royal Philharmonic, BBC Symphony and BBC Scottish Symphony in the UK; the RTE National Symphony Orchestra in Dublin; the Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam, Residentie Orchestra and Dutch Radio Symphony in the Netherlands; and the Slovak Radio Symphony and Slovak Philharmonic in the Czech and Slovak Republics.
Guest Artists
Tamara Rojo, Carlos Acosta and Steven McRae’s appearances in Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo & Juliet is made possible through funding from the Queensland Government’s Super Star Fund.
Each guest artist is very familiar with MacMillan’s acclaimed ballet. Tamara Rojo and Carlos Acosta are both mature and experienced artists who are particularly associated with the title roles. Steven McRae’s larrikin Australian spirit makes his Romeo a familiar and likeable character.
Tamara Rojo
Tamara Rojo is Artistic Director of the English National Ballet, and until recently, was a Principal with The Royal Ballet, during which time she frequently performed as Guest Principal with all major ballet companies throughout the world. Tamara’s reputation as an exceptional artist and exponent of the classical repertoire has been forged during countless performances of great beauty. She is acclaimed for her remarkable technique and intense emotional connection with her roles.
Carlos Acosta
A Cuban-born dancer of Spanish and African heritage, Carlos Acosta has danced with many esteemed dance companies, including English National Ballet, National Ballet of Cuba, Houston Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. Joining The Royal Ballet in 1998, he was appointed Principal Guest Artist in 2003, allowing him to accommodate a growing schedule of international guest appearances. With his celebrated grace, power and athleticism, Carlos is one of the most influential and admired dancers of our time.
Steven McRae
Australian-born, Steven McRae was appointed a Principal at The Royal Ballet in 2009 and has worked with many choreographers, including Christopher Bruce, Wayne McGregor, Alexei Ratmansky and Christopher Wheeldon. Renowned for his dazzling technique, Steven has been a guest artist at American Ballet Theatre, The Bolshoi Ballet and The Australian Ballet, and performed around the world in many international galas.
Choreography Sir Kenneth MacMillan
Designer Paul Andrews
Lighting Designer John B Read
Birmingham Royal Ballet Head of Scenic Presentation Doug Nicholson
Costume Supervisor Michael Brown
With the Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Conductor Andrew Mogrelia
Composer Sergei Prokofiev
Playing Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane Australia From 27 Jun to 5 Jul 2014
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