Liverpool Empire welcomes ENB's Romeo and Juliet
English National Ballet returns to the Liverpool Empire next week with its lavish new production of Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet.
The ballet will be performed at the Lime Street landmark from October 15-17, with the dancers accompanied by live music played by the English National Ballet Philharmonic.
Verona in Renaissance Italy. Tensions run high between the Montagues and the Capulets as the families stand on the brink of violence. Against the backdrop of simmering hatred, fate intervenes and love blooms across the divide. Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet fall desperately in love. Can young love survive in a world ruled by conflict?
The legendary Rudolf Nureyev choreographed the ‘signature reimagining’ of Prokofiev’s 1935 masterwork as part of celebrations for Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee in 1977, and it was premiered by the then London Festival Ballet at the Coliseum with Nureyev dancing the role of Romeo.
Romeo will be danced on opening night in Liverpool (which is also the opening night of the tour) by the ENB’s Spanish-born, award-winning Lead Principal Aitor Arrieta.
Arrieta says: “It's funny, because when I joined English National Ballet in 2016, Romeo and Juliet was one of the first ballets I performed. I was doing everything from Mercutio’s friends and Paris to the acrobats.
“I remember standing by the door watching the Principals’ rehearsals and thinking how hard this ballet was, and how I would love to do it someday.”
He adds: “I think everyone loves a love story, but at the same time, not everything is always happy and positive in a love story. You see the bad side of it as well, and you can maybe see some of your personal life portrayed in that.”
Meanwhile Juliet will be danced by American-born Lead Principal Emma Hawes.
Above: A programme for Rudolf Nureyev's Romeo and Juliet at the Liverpool Empire in 1977. Top: Aitor Arrieta (Romeo) and Emma Hawes (Juliet) in rehearsals. Photo by Isabella Tuolla.
English National Ballet started life as the London Festival Ballet, founded in 1950 by Ballet Russes stars Dame Alicia Markova and Sir Anton Dolin. It was renamed as the ENB in 1989.
The company has enjoyed a long association with the Liverpool Empire going back more than 70 years.
It has presented Romeo and Juliet at the venue several times, including in December 1977 when the Nureyev-choreographed production’s original Juliet, Patricia Ruanne, reprised her role, joined by Kenneth McCombie as a dashing Romeo.
English National Ballet’s current Artistic Director, Aaron S Watkin, says: “Rudolf Nureyev’s Romeo and Juliet is one of our most treasured works, renowned for its compelling drama, rich visual storytelling and exhilarating choreography.
"As we approach its 50th anniversary, we’re delighted to share this extraordinary production with audiences across the UK, bringing the magic of ballet to more people.”
Romeo and Juliet comes to the Liverpool Empire from October 15-17. More details and booking HERE