Preview: Romeo And Juliet at Sunderland Empire

Follow North East Theatre Guide on Twitter at https://twitter.com/NETheatreGuide and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NETheatreGuide

bIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET MARKS 400 YEARS SINCE SHAKESPEARE’S DEATH with kenneth macmillan’s acclaimed production

Romeo And Juliet

Sunderland Empire

Thursday 17^th – Saturday 19^th March 2016

Photo: Roy Smiljanic

The timeless drama and storytelling of Shakespeare’s plays have inspired generations of theatregoers across the globe for hundreds of years. In 2016, Birmingham Royal Ballet commemorates 400 years since the death of arguably the world’s most prolific playwright with a national tour of one of the most breath-taking adaptations of his tale of star-crossed lovers, Kenneth Macmillan’s Romeo and Juliet.

Photo: Roy Smiljanic

William Shakespeare’s tragic and passionate narrative comes to life in this epic production featuring a stunning design by Paul Andrews recreating the grandeur and heat of Verona with gargantuan pillars and Italian architectural style.

A cast of over fifty dancers execute Macmillan’s esteemed choreography, from the balcony scene’s romantic, ecstatic pas de deux to large-scale fight scenes and the lovers’ heart breaking end.

Photo: Roy Smiljanic

The spectacle is accompanied by Prokofiev’s instantly recognisable score, played live at every performance by the sixty musicians that make up the Royal Ballet Sinfonia.

Separated by feuding families, Romeo and Juliet embark on a passionate yet fatally doomed love affair in a story that has captured the hearts of theatregoers for hundreds of years.

As part of Birmingham Royal Ballets ongoing commitment to involving audiences in the creative process a range of opportunities are available to go behind the scenes with the company including:

Photo: Roy Smiljanic

Friday 18 March (6.30pm) - ticket holders to the evening performance are invited to join a select panel of some of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s most influential creative forces as they discuss life as part of a world-renowned ballet company in a pre-show talk at 6.30pm (free to ticket holders but pre-booking essential).

Saturday 19 March (11.15am) – members of the public are invited behind closed doors as the Company of dancers open up their daily class. This is a rare and fascinating opportunity to take a peek behind the scenes to witness the preparation and dedication needed to be part of the UK’s leading touring classical ballet company. Ticketed event £10pp and pre-booking essential.

Saturday 19 March (12.30pm) – ticket holders to matinee performance will have the opportunity to take part in unique family fun day which includes insight sessions and the chance to go behind the scenes with Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Tickets:

Photo: Roy Smiljanic

Tickets to performances are on sale now and available in person at the Box Office on High Street West, from the Ticket Centre on 0844 871 3022* or online at www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland*

*Calls cost 7p per minute plus your standard network charge. Booking fees may apply to telephone and online bookings