Australian premiere of Ballet BC’s Romeo & Juliet

To mark their Australian debut, internationally revered Canadian dance company Ballet BC will present a bold and emotive reimagining of the timeless love story of Romeo + Juliet. The exclusive season will be presented in the Joan Sutherland Theatre from 10 – 14 June, 2020.

Acclaimed French choreographer Medhi Walerski’s (Nederlands Dans Theater) adaptation of Romeo + Juliet as a contemporary ballet delivers an examination of time-honoured themes such as the coexistence of love and hate, social discord and forbidden romance. This tale of tragic star-crossed lovers plays masterfully with tradition and contemporaneity as Walerski pays subtle homage to the ballet’s Shakespearean roots against Sergei Prokofiev’s powerful 1938 score. Walerski’s refined costuming together with a minimalistic set and sleek design complements the crisp and dynamic movement of the company of dancers.

Romeo + Juliet typifies the pulsating, provocative work Ballet BC is known for under Artistic Director, Emily Molnar. Last year, Molnar celebrated a decade with Ballet BC, and now the Sydney Opera House season will be her last before taking the reigns as Artistic Director of the Nederlands Dans Theater. Molnar, who was named a Member of the Order of Canada for her contribution to the arts, has been described as being instrumental to the stellar rise of Ballet BC, the contemporary dance scene in Vancouver, and its international reputation for emotive, exhilarating and physically precise dance work.

Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Performance, Olivia Ansell, says:

“We are thrilled to welcome Canada’s Ballet BC to the Sydney Opera House in this exclusive performance of Romeo + Juliet. Medhi Walerski’s full-length work is a unique exploration of a familiar tale that plays creatively with plot and choreography to unlock the infamous story of the Montagues and Capulets. Ballet BC is one of the world’s most sought after dance companies right now and we’re delighted to present the Australian premiere of this distinctive, Olivier -ominated company.”

The season runs from 10 – 14 June 2020 at Joan Sutherland Theatre.

For more information and booking, visit www.SydneyOperaHouse.com