Romeo & Juliet 1978-2015

Northern Ballet's infatuation with the ultimate love story

Romeo & Juliet...Tragic Memories featuring Alexandra Worrall and Ian Knowles (1978) by Northern Ballet, Alexandra Worrall, and Ian KnowlesNorthern Ballet

Robert de Warrent's Romeo & Juliet...Tragic Memories

The first appearance of Romeo & Juliet in Northern Ballet's repertoire came in the form of Robert de Warren's short ballet Romeo & Juliet... Tragic Memories in 1978.

Romeo & Juliet Programme page - 10th anniversary programme (1979) by Northern Ballet Theatre, Robert de Warren, and TchaikovskyNorthern Ballet

Romeo & Juliet... Tragic Memories was a one act ballet, told from the point of view of Juliet's Nurse after the tragic deaths of Romeo and Juliet.

Romeo & Juliet Programme page - 10th Anniversary programme (1979) by Northern Ballet and Robert de WarrenNorthern Ballet

The music used for the ballet was Tchaikovsky String Quartet No. 3.

Romeo & Juliet cast sheet proof for Robert de Warren by Northern Ballet and Robert de WarrenNorthern Ballet

Here is an initial draft for the cast list with a note asking for Robert de Warren's approval.

'Fine' - Robert de Warren

Romeo & Juliet...Tragic Memories. Photo contact sheet. by Northern BalletNorthern Ballet

Here are the contact sheets for studio photography taken for Romeo & Juliet.... Tragic Memories

Romeo & Juliet...Tragic Memories. Photo contact sheet. by Northern BalletNorthern Ballet

The dancers featured include Ian Knowles and Alexandra Worrall as Romeo and Juliet.

Romeo & Juliet (1996) by Northern Ballet, Massimo Moricone, and Daniel de AndradeNorthern Ballet

Christopher Gable and Massimo Moricone's Romeo & Juliet

The first full-length version of Romeo & Juliet performed by Northern Ballet was the 1991 production, choreographed by Massimo Moricone and directed by Christopher Gable.

Romeo & Juliet Programme Page (2007) by Northern Ballet, Christopher Gable, and Massimo MoriconeNorthern Ballet

In 1991 Christopher Gable, the then Artistic Director of Northern Ballet Theatre, asked Massimo Moricone to create new choreography, for Prokofiev's Romeo & Juliet.

Northern Ballet Theatre performs Romeo & Juliet at Blackpool Grand Theatre (1991-02-12) by Northern Ballet Theatre, Christopher Gable, Mollie Guilfoyle, and Massimo MoriconeNorthern Ballet

This was believed to be the first new version choreographed to Prokofiev's Romeo & Juliet score in over a decade.

Romeo & Juliet Poster (1994) by Northern Ballet Theatre, Christopher Gable, Massimo Moricone, and Anthony CrickmayNorthern Ballet

At the time, it became Northern Ballet Theatre's biggest box office hit and was also filmed for TV.

Northern Ballet Theatre performs Romeo & Juliet in the Czech Republic (1994-05) by Northern Ballet Theatre of Great Britain, Christopher Gable, and Czech & Slovak CentreNorthern Ballet

The production toured extensively, including abroad to the Czech Republic.

Northern Ballet Theatre performs Romeo & Juliet at Regent Theatre (2001-06-05) by Northern Ballet Theatre, Christopher Gable, Massimo Moricone, and ProkofievNorthern Ballet

The ballet went on to receive several awards including: The Manchester Evening News' Best New Dance Production of the Year; Dance and Dancers Best Dance Production of the Year; a Royal Philharmonic Music Award; and a nomination for a Laurence Olivier Award.

A production photo for Romeo & Juliet (1996) by Northern Ballet, Massimo Moricone, Christopher Gable, Charlotte Talbot, and Casey OrrNorthern Ballet

The sets and costumes for Gable and Moricone's version were designed by the award-winning Lez Brotherston.

Romeo and Juliet by Massimo Moricone (1996-03) by Northern Ballet, Massimo Moricone, William Shakespeare, and Sergei ProkofievNorthern Ballet

The ballet was a classic adaptation of Shakespeare's original story.

Romeo & Juliet by Massimo Moricone (1996) by Northern Ballet, Massimo Moricone, and Hironao TakahashiNorthern Ballet

Here you can see the traditional period costume and setting.

Christopher Gable's Notebook with counts for the Romeo & Juliet Balcony Pas de Deux by Christopher Gable and Northern Ballet TheatreNorthern Ballet

Here is Christopher Gable's notebook, showing counts for the famous balcony pas de deux.

Here you can see evidence of the fire at Northern Ballet which destroyed many items from the archive, including costumes, set pieces and more.

Romeo & Juliet by Massimo Moricone (1996) by Northern Ballet, Brian Slater, Darren Goldsmith, and Nicola CrossNorthern Ballet

In this production photo, you can see how this iconic balcony scene was realised.

Abigail Prudames and The Royal Ballet's Federico Bonelli in Romeo & Juliet. Photo Emma Kauldhar. (2) (2020) by Northern Ballet, Emma Kauldhar, Abigail Prudames, and Federico BonelliNorthern Ballet

For Northern Ballet's 50th anniversary, the balcony pas de deux was revived by dancers Abigail Prudames and The Royal Ballet's Federico Bonelli, as part of our gala celebration performance at Leeds Grand Theatre on 4 Jan 2020.

Giualiano Contadini and Martha Leebolt in Jean-Christophe Maillot's Romeo and Juliet (2015) by Northern Ballet, Jean-Christophe Maillot, and Andy RossNorthern Ballet

Jean-Christophe Maillot's Romeo and Juliet

Northern Ballet's most recent performances of Romeo and Juliet was the version choreographed by Jean-Christophe Maillot. It was first performed by the Company in 2015.

A poster for Northern Ballet's Romeo and Juliet (2015) by Northern Ballet, Jean-Christophe Maillot, and Guy FarrowNorthern Ballet

Northern Ballet's 2015 production was the first time Jean-Christophe Maillot's Les Ballets de Monte Carlo's Romeo and Juliet had been performed in the UK, and the first time any of Maillot's work had been performed by a UK Company.

Tobias Batley, Dreda Blow, Giuliano Contadini and Martha Leebolt in rehearsal for Romeo and Juliet (2015) by Northern Ballet, Lauren Godfrey, Tobias Batley, Dreda Blow, Giuliano Contadini, and Martha LeeboltNorthern Ballet

Jean-Christophe Maillot originally choreographed the ballet in 1996 and it has since been performed all over the world.

Watch the dancers in rehearsals.

Martha Leebolt and Giuliano Contadini in Jean-Christophe Maillot's Romeo and Juliet (2015) by Northern Ballet, Jean-Christophe Maillot, and Andy RossNorthern Ballet

Watch the Pas de Deux from Act 1 where Juliet falls for her Romeo.

Martha Leebolt and Giuliano Contadini in Jean-Christophe Maillot's Romeo and Juliet (2015) by Northern Ballet, Jean-Christophe Maillot, and Andy RossNorthern Ballet

Take a look at the trailer for this treasured classic.

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