Love is in the Air

Filmed at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, the performance of Kenneth MacMillan’s adaptation of the Shakespeare tragedy, set to Prokofiev’s score, features Principal Marcelino Sambé as Romeo and Anna Rose O’Sullivan as Juliet.

The story itself is well-known, but never loses its allure. Romeo and Juliet fall passionately in love, but their families are caught up in a deadly feud. They marry in secret, but tragic circumstances lead Romeo to fight and kill Juliet’s cousin Tybalt. As punishment, he is banished from the city.

When Juliet’s parents force her to marry another man, she takes drastic action by drinking a potion to make her appear dead so she can escape to join Romeo. News of the plan fails to reach Romeo and he returns to visit her tomb, grief stricken. Presuming Juliet lifeless, he drinks a phial of poison. Juliet wakes to find Romeo dead. Devastated, she stabs herself.

“Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet opened our first full season for 18 months, receiving stunning reviews and standing ovations,” commented Kevin O’Hare, Director of The Royal Ballet. “It’s a real pleasure to be able to share this special ballet with cinemas around the country.

“Anna Rose O’Sullivan and Marcelino Sambé make the most wonderful star-crossed lovers and I hope audiences can join us to experience this masterpiece.”

Romeo & Juliet screens at the Eastgate Theatre, 7pm, Mon 14 Feb. Tickets priced £17, £10 under 16s, available from Box Office on 01721 725777 or online. The Royal Ballet Cinema Season will also include a live broadcast of Swan Lake that will screen at the Eastgate in May.