Queensland Ballet’s Romeo & Juliet is coming to QPAC

Ballet lovers will delight at the return of Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo & Juliet to QPAC’s Lyric Theatre in Brisbane. It broke box office records for Queensland Ballet when it was last performed here in 2014.

The QB production is true to the original from 1965 that had Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn as its stars.

Queensland Ballet Artistic Director Li Cunxin says his is one of the few ballet companies in the world with the rights to perform the work.

“We are the only Australian ballet company that has been endorsed by the MacMillan Trust to perform R&J and we stand alongside internationally-renowned companies like the American Ballet Theater and The Royal Ballet as the companies entrusted with this acclaimed production.”

It’s an indication of the depth of the company that several dancers have been cast in the title roles.

Victor Estévez is one QB cast member playing Romeo.

“For Romeo, especially, it’s one of the hardest roles you could ever get to dance. It is very, very emotional and draining and demanding for the main character.”

Laura Hidalgo is one of the principals playing Juliet. She says William Shakespeare’s story of doomed teenage romance is still relevant today.

“I think everyone falls madly in love once in their life and that’s what this story is all about. How it develops, not everyone goes through that because it’s quite tragic, but I think that’s why everyone can relate to the story.”

Fight Director and Stager Gary Harris says the action will be fierce.

“In the first act there’s a big fight scene between the Capulets and the Montagues, when all the men in the ballet are fighting, so it’s this huge great big choreographed fight, with 30 men or something on stage.”

Queensland Ballet’s season of Romeo & Juliet runs from August 28 – September 7, 2019 at QPAC’s Lyric Theatre. Tickets are available from www.qtix.com.au.