Joburg Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet returns to the stage in June and July

After an absence of seven years Joburg Ballet’s magnificent production of Romeo and Juliet returns to the stage of the Joburg Theatre for a season of eight performances from Friday 30 June to Sunday 9 July.

Photography by Lauge Sorensen

Joburg Ballet is grateful to the Friends of the Ballet for a generous gift of R 250 000 towards the production of Romeo and Juliet. Inspired by Shakespeare’s tragic story of a passionate feud between two families in Renaissance Italy, the ballet is set to a searing and powerful score by Sergei Prokofiev with choreography based on Nicolas Beriosoff’s 1969 production.

As Juliet, Shannon Glover returns to a role she has danced previously, while audiences can look forward to debuts from Nicole Ferreira-Dill, Monike Cristina and Chloé Blair. Among the dancers sharing the role of Romeo, Revil Yon makes his company debut in a role he has previously danced with Cape Town City Ballet; the season’s first-time Romeo’s are Armando Barros, Ruan Galdino and Gabriel Fernandes.

Apart from the title roles, Romeo and Juliet showcases several supporting roles which this season include Gabriel Fernandes, Ruan Galdino and Armando Barros as Tybalt and Ruan Galdino, Ivan Domiciano, Tumelo Lekana and Luhle Mtati as Mercutio. Performance cast dates will be announced at the beginning of June.

Photography by Lauge Sorensen

Important character roles will be performed by Christopher Montague (Lord Capulet), Fiona Budd (Lady Capulet), Natasha Ireland (Juliet’s Nurse) and Craig Hedderwick (Friar Laurence). Vuyani Dance Theatre, Jozi Dance Company and the Joburg Ballet Academy will appear with Joburg Ballet in Romeo and Juliet, giving an added grandeur and dimension to the many scenes that call for a large cast of dancers such as the ballroom and the acts set in Verona’s city squares.

Joburg Ballet offers attractive discounts including Half Price Opening Night (50%), Morning matinees (R110 throughout), Friends of the Ballet (35%), Pensioners (15%), Groups 10+ (10%), Children 4-7 (50%). Discounts cannot be combined.

Photography by Lauge Sorensen

Dates, times, prices

Friday 30 June 18h30 (Half Price Opening Night)

Saturday 1 July at 14h00 (Standard prices)

Sunday 2 July at 14h00 (Standard prices)

Wednesday 5 July at 11h00 (Morning matinee prices)

Thursday 6 July at 11h00 (Morning matinee prices)

Saturday 8 July at 14h00 (Standard prices)

Saturday 8 July at 18h30 (Standard prices)

Sunday 9 July at 14h00 (Standard prices)

Half Price Night: R263, R225, R205, R150, R110

Standard Prices: R525, R450, R410, R300, R220

Morning Matinee Price: R110

Other discounts: Friends of the Ballet 35%; Pensioners 15%; Groups of 10+ 10%; Children 4-7 50%

Where: Joburg Theatre, Braamfontein (GPS -26.191316, 28.038519)

Photography by Lauge Sorensen

Open Day - Joburg Ballet hosts an Open Day for Romeo and Juliet on Saturday 17 June from 10:00 to 13:00 at the Joburg Ballet Studios, Joburg Theatre. The Open Day will allow the public to watch rehearsals and engage with the creative process. Refreshments will be served. Tickets are R150 and may be booked through Futhi Zwane on 011-877 6898 or futhi@joburgeballet.com.

Looking Ahead - Following Romeo and Juliet, Joburg Ballet, in association with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra presents Don Quixote, one of classical ballet’s most enchanting comedies at the Joburg Theatre from 29 September to 8 October. Details and booking information to be announced.

Photography by Lauge Sorensen