dates and Booking Explore Creative team Cast FAQs

Youthful, impetuous, aflame with the glory of first love and its tragic end, this is a timeless romance that resonates down the ages.

Shakespeare’s greatest love story returns to the Royal New Zealand Ballet in May 2023, in a passionate re-telling choreographed by Andrea Schermoly (Stand to Reason, Within Without).

Exquisite sets and costumes by Academy Award-winning designer James Acheson (The Last Emperor, Dangerous Liaisons), first seen onstage in 2017 to universal acclaim, bring to life all the splendour and seduction of Renaissance Verona, swept up in Prokofiev’s exhilarating, sensuous score.

The colour and vitality of the marketplace, where bawdy laughter turns to horror in the blinking of an eye, the grandeur of the Capulet palazzo where love blooms, the intimacy of balcony, bedroom and tomb – the story unfolds inexorably but with the freshness and spontaneity of young dancers giving the performance of a lifetime.

Romeo & Juliet contains mature themes including depictions of suicide. While audiences of all ages will enjoy this timeless story re-told in dance, it is not suitable for young children. Please contact our ticketing team at subscribe@rnzb.org.nz if you have any specific questions or concerns.

Soloists Josh Guillemot-Rodgerson and Katherine Minor. Photo by Ross Brown.
My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee The more I have, for both are infinite.
– Romeo & Juliet, Act II, scene ii

Dates

Wellington Auckland Dunedin Christchurch Palmerston North Napier
Wellington
St James Theatre
Thursday
4 May
7:30 PM
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Friday
5 May
7:30 PM
Pre-Performance Talk
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Saturday
6 May
1:30 PM
Post-Performance Q&A
BUY TICKETS
Saturday
6 May
7:30 PM
Warm Up, Curtain Up!
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Auckland
Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre
Thursday
11 May
7:30 PM
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Friday
12 May
7:30 PM
Pre-Performance Talk
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Saturday
13 May
1:30 PM
Post-Performance Q&A
BUY TICKETS
Saturday
13 May
7:30 PM
Warm Up, Curtain Up!
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Dunedin
The Regent Theatre
Saturday
20 May
7:30 PM
Warm Up, Curtain Up!
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Christchurch
The Isaac Theatre Royal
Thursday
25 May
7:30 PM
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Friday
26 May
7:30 PM
Pre-Performance Talk
BUY TICKETS
Saturday
27 May
1:30 PM
Post-Performance Q&A
BUY TICKETS
Saturday
27 May
7:30 PM
Warm Up, Curtain Up!
BUY TICKETS
Palmerston North
The Regent on Broadway
Saturday
3 Jun
7:30 PM
Pre-Performance Talk & Warm Up, Curtain Up!
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Napier
The Napier Municipal Theatre
Friday
9 Jun
7:30 PM
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Saturday
10 Jun
7:30 PM
Warm Up, Curtain Up!
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Explore

Come behind the scenes of the Royal New Zealand Ballet
Fight & Combat with Simon Manns
Here’s a taste of what the company have been working on in studio with fight director Simon Manns.
Behind the scenes of Romeo & Juliet
Step behind the curtain of our upcoming performance of Romeo & Juliet!
RNZB in class
Watch the dancers prepare for their day with their morning class.
Meet the RNZB Ballet Masters
Studios, schedules, spreadsheets and shoes!
Dan Wilson, Head of Lighting
A rare glimpse into the world of the backstage men and women in black.
Up close with the costumes of Romeo & Juliet
orgeous costume designs, visually stunning fabrics, and a talented team behind the costumes of Romeo & Juliet.

Creative team

Meet the team behind this installation
Choreography
Andrea Schermoly
Music
Sergei Prokofiev
Design
James Acheson
Lighting
Jeremy Fern
Conductor
Hamish McKeich
Orchestra
Presented in association with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (Wellington), Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (Auckland) and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (Christchurch).

Cast

A collection of PDFs with all the cast members

FAQs

What do I need to know about attending the ballet?
Check out our Top Tips for your Trip to the ballet for details of general timing, lockouts, refreshments, transport and facilities.
Who will be performing on the night I go to the ballet?
Principal casting details are published on RNZB website as soon as available for productions (generally from one week prior to opening night). Full casting for each performance is displayed on screens in the theatre foyers. You can also pick up a free printed cast sheet. Please note that casting is subject to change without notice.
What is the duration of the performance?
This ballet will include 3 acts, totalling approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, including 1x 20-minute and 1x 15-minute interval.
Can I take photos or film the show?
We respectfully ask that you do not take photographs or make any kind of recording. It’s distracting and so potentially dangerous for the performers, as well as disturbing your fellow audience members.
Where are my tickets?
If you’ve booked directly with the RNZB, your tickets will be mailed to you over the coming weeks, in order of performance date.  If you’ve booked via our approved ticket agencies (Ticketmaster, Ticketek etc) then your tickets will be issued as outlined in your booking.
Are you running school matinee performances for Romeo & Juliet?
Unfortunately we will not be offering a school matinee performance for Romeo & Juliet.
Is there use of strobe lighting or visual effects in Romeo & Juliet?
Yes, there will be lighting effects used during the performance.
What protocols are in place at the venue to protect against COVID-19?
The show must go on, so we will continue to work with our colleagues at venues across the motu to offer safe and enjoyable experiences for audiences, maintaining a high standard of cleaning and sanitising around performances. Patrons are most welcome to wear face masks while in attendance. If you are unwell, for your own comfort and that of those around you, please stay home.