Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, has been reimagined countless times, each version offering a distinct glimpse into the classic love story. The Royal Ballet’s recent production, staged from March 4 to May 26, 2025, in London, provides yet another captivating take—this time celebrating its 60th anniversary.
Objectively, the production remains faithful to Kenneth MacMillan’s original 1965 choreography, which has become legendary within the ballet world. Prokofiev’s evocative score—expertly conducted by Koen Kessels—underscores the narrative’s tension, while Nicholas Georgiadis’s monumental sets and Renaissance-inspired costumes evoke the grandeur of 15th-century Verona.
Performances run at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, featuring principal dancers such as Yasmine Naghdi, Matthew Ball, Fumi Kaneko, and Vadim Muntagirov. Each cast rotation brings its own nuanced interpretation of the star-crossed lovers. The swift scene changes—from bustling marketplace to the Capulet ballroom, from Juliet’s iconic balcony to the shadowy tomb—showcase the Royal Ballet’s commitment to cinematic fluidity on stage.
From the ballet’s first moments, the emotional stakes are clear. Joy intermingles with dread, and tenderness collides with violence. The audience sees a playful Juliet transform into a resolute young woman, her bright skips turning solemn when her family’s expectations close in. Romeo, initially the embodiment of youthful romance, grows frantic as the feud intensifies.
The score amplifies each surge of feeling, and the dancers respond with potent physicality. Whether through a gentle brush of hands during the balcony pas de deux or in the anguished final scene in the tomb, the ballet immerses us in the lovers’ tenderness and desperation. The effect is profound: we watch with hearts in our throats, fully aware of the tragedy that fate has scripted.
While the production is mostly triumphant, not every moment feels perfectly balanced. Certain passages linger longer than needed, slightly disrupting the overall pace. Although Naghdi and Ball excel technically, their portrayals could occasionally deepen the raw recklessness that underpins teenage passion.
Similarly, ballet newcomers might find it challenging to follow the nuances of Shakespeare’s plot if they arrive with little context. Though the choreography translates emotion into movement, pre-performance talks or succinct program notes could further illuminate why this ancient feud drives the lovers to such tragic ends.
Despite these minor shortcomings, the ballet brims with strengths. It serves as an accessible entry point for those unfamiliar with Shakespeare, weaving universal themes—love, hate, fate—into a spectacle of dance and music. The set designs, reveling in warm ochres and moody shadows, create an authentic sense of Renaissance Italy. Intricate costumes distinguish Montagues from Capulets at a glance, reinforcing the social divide that tears the lovers apart.
Beyond its visual beauty, the production resonates on a deeper level. In this 60th anniversary revival, the authenticity of MacMillan’s choreography still thrills. Attendees experience a timelessness rendered through expressive movement, reminding us of ballet’s unique power to crystallize complex human emotions without uttering a single line of dialogue.
MacMillan’s approach to storytelling revolutionized ballet in the 1960s by blending classical technique with a dynamic, cinematic style. Contemporary details, like dramatic lighting and bold scene transitions, merge tradition with modern spectacle. Crucial moments—such as the moonlit balcony scene—are staged with striking simplicity, directing full attention to the dancers’ chemistry.
Solo sequences and pas de deux further reveal the characters’ inner worlds. Juliet’s playful interactions with her Nurse evolve into bold, determined choreography once she embraces her love for Romeo. Meanwhile, the cast’s supporting roles, from Mercutio’s mischievous energy to Tybalt’s simmering menace, expand the emotional dimensions of the story. These creative choices breathe fresh life into an often-told tale, showing how art can adapt across generations.
The Royal Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet stands as a record of the enduring power of Shakespeare’s tragedy. Factually, it is a well-researched and technically accomplished production that honors a 60-year legacy. Emotionally, it grips the audience with an unrelenting intensity that leads inexorably to heartbreak. Critically, it reveals subtle opportunities for pacing and interpretive enhancements, while remaining a vibrant, relevant piece of art.
Ultimately, the production illuminates larger truths about human nature: how quickly love can bloom amid centuries-old hatred, and how the seeds of hope or destruction lie in every choice we make. We see, through dance and music, how individuals struggle against the constraints of family, society, and fate itself. In highlighting these struggles, the ballet not only entertains but also encourages quiet reflection on our own capacity for empathy, forgiveness, and devotion.
This anniversary revival reminds us that art, at its most powerful, sheds light on universal experiences—love and loss, passion and prejudice—and challenges us to recognize them within ourselves. Romeo and Juliet endures not just because it recounts a legendary feud, but because it offers a stark reflection of our humanity. And in the realm of ballet, where every leap and turn speaks volumes, it reminds us that sometimes movement alone can best illuminate the truths of the heart.
4 March–26 May 2025