RNZB to perform Romeo and Juliet

Poetry in motion: RNZB to perform Romeo and Juliet

The romance and tragedy of the world's most famous 'star-cross'd' lovers takes centre stage in the Royal New Zealand Ballet's major new commission for 2003, The Meridian Energy Season of Romeo and Juliet.

In a stunning new interpretation by one of international ballet's hottest properties, UK choreographer Christopher Hampson brings a fresh look and perspective to this classic story.

The work's themes of life and death have added significance this year: 2003 marks the Royal New Zealand's 50th birthday, and it is also 50 years since composer Sergei Prokofiev died.

Set to Prokofiev's celebrated score, this classical ballet resonates with passion and dramatic intensity. With their families locked in a bitter feud, Romeo and Juliet's fate is sealed from their first encounter. The two fall madly in love and with the impetuousness of youth marry in secret. As the power play between the rival Montague and Capulet houses reaches fever pitch, any hope the star-crossed lovers have of happiness is forever shattered.

>From ballroom to balcony, this new production has the look of La Dolce Vita era Italy. The sophisticated and sumptuous designs by Aucklander Tracy Grant and evocative lighting design by Australian John Rayment are set off by bold brushstrokes of the richest and bloodiest red.

Hampson's work has been hailed as a triumph of imagination and energy. In writing about the 30-year-old's choreographic style, many critics have noted his gentle blend of classicism and invention: "Hampson takes a large ensemble and launches it into a dazzling display of classical dance...lush, fascinating, sultry and elegant," wrote The Times, and The Observer dubbed him "the man who put the 'cor!' into corps."

In 2001 Hampson's work Saltarello toured New Zealand on the Ballet's Nationwide Road Tour to rave reviews. Hampson's work for English National Ballet, Double Concerto (with design by Royal New Zealand Ballet Artistic Director Gary Harris), scooped two of the UK's most prestigious dance honours: the 2002 Barclays Theatre Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance and the 2002 Critics Circle National Dance Award for Best Choreography (Classical).

Hampson says the new work honours tradition while exploring the creative potential of classical ballet. Says Hampson: "there is still a town square, a ballroom, a balcony, and lots of dancing."

I have worked together with designer Tracy Grant to produce a relevant and fresh look to the ballet. We have set the ballet in a timeless age. It is of interest that many of the buildings in Shakespeare's Verona are still there today and they remain in Tracy's setting for the ballet. The costumes and characters, however, come from a more recent time. A time encapsulated by films such as La Dolce Vita, mixed with the avant-garde setting in Baz Luhrmann's recent film Romeo and Juliet."

Keith Turner, Chief Executive of Meridian Energy, says: "Romeo and Juliet represents something of a departure for Meridian Energy in our partnership with the Ballet. Previously we've gone into relatively unknown territory with the likes of Dracula or Ihi FrENZy - with no small element of risk attached to it. But even though we are on more traditional ground, we know the ballet will take its typically daring and fresh approach to what will be another runaway success."

The Meridian Energy Season of Romeo and Juliet premieres in Wellington on 6 June. The following day, more than 200 former company members - including dancers, artistic directors, choreographers, designers and technical staff - will dance down memory lane at a special reunion at the Ballet's Wellington studios.

Regional orchestras, conducted by Gavin Sutherland, will accompany the production in the capital, Christchurch, Auckland and Dunedin. In all other centres, the company will be performing to a recording of the NGC Wellington Sinfonia.

Performance details Choreography: Christopher Hampson Design: Tracy Grant Lighting design: John Rayment Music: Romeo and Juliet by Sergei Prokofiev. These performances of Romeo and Juliet by Prokofiev (reduced orchestration by John Longstaff) are by permission of Boosey & Hawkes Music Pty Ltd. Conductor: Gavin Sutherland (Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin only) www.romeoandjuliet.co.nz

Wellington, Westpac St James Theatre: 6-8 and 11-14 June, featuring the NGC Wellington Sinfonia Napier, Municipal Theatre: 19-21 June Auckland, Aotea Centre: 25-29 June, featuring the Auckland Philharmonia Hamilton, Founders Theatre: 1-2 July Palmerston North, Regent on Broadway: 5-6 July Dunedin, Regent Theatre: 11-13 July, featuring the Southern Sinfonia Christchurch, Theatre Royal: 17-21 July, featuring the Christchurch Symphony. The Meridian Energy Season of Romeo and Juliet opens the Christchurch Arts Festival.

To book, contact your nearest Ticketek outlet (Response Ticketing for Christchurch).

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