Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo Present ROMEO AND JULIET

Internationally acclaimed choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot and his mesmerizing dance company, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, prepare to make hearts ache with a passionate interpretation of William Shakespeare's famous tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, on Tue-Wed, Feb 27-28, 7:30 pm at Northrop.

Under the Presidency of H.R.H. The Princess of Hanover
Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Jean-Christophe Maillot
and Northrop Present

Romeo and Juliet
by Jean-Christophe Maillot
Tue-Wed, Feb 27-28, 7:30 pm
Carlson Family Stage

Set in Verona, Italy, Shakespeare's Romeo and Julietis the classic story of a long-lasting feud between the powerful Montague and Capulet families that ends in tragedy for the young, star-crossed lovers. French choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot's two-act ballet version reinterprets the action through flashback scenes of character Friar Laurence, as the man of the cloth reflects on how his good intentions led to a tragic end. The families' long-simmering feud is less about warfare; this performance is focused more on the protagonists' first true love and their feelings connected with that.

In Maillot's version, which borrows from cinema as much as ballet, the dancers move along imaginary diagonal lines and never face the audience directly. A stripped-down stage of white ramps and simple, monochromatic costumes help put the focus on the dancers' movements and storytelling. The main roles (Juliet, Lady Capulet, Rosaline, the Nurse) are danced by ballerinas who are close to each other, yet separate. In Maillot's choreographic rewriting of the play, the fathers are practically absent and some male characters disappear altogether.

Under the Presidency of H.R.H. the Princess of Hanover, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo formed in 1985. Maillot has headed the company since 1993, and today his 50 exquisite international dancers continue to impress audiences with technical skills and emotional impact. Romeo and Juliet is the company's debut at Northrop.

TICKETS

To order tickets, visit our site or call 612-624-2345