Romeo and Juliet – Dance of the Knights (The Royal Ballet)

Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers encounter passion and tragedy in Kenneth MacMillan's 20th-century ballet masterpiece, screened live around the world and on BP Big Screens on 11 June 2019.

Christopher Saunders (Lord Capulet), Gary Avis (Tybalt), Nicol Edmonds (Paris) and artists of The Royal Ballet perform the Dance of the Knights from Romeo and Juliet.

Kenneth MacMillan's passionate choreography for Romeo and Juliet shows The Royal Ballet at its dramatic finest. Sergey Prokofiev's iconic score provides the basis for the ballet's romantic pas de deux and vibrant crowd scenes, while 16th-century Verona is created by Nicholas Georgiadis's magnificent designs.

In 1965, MacMillan's Romeo and Juliet was given its premiere at Covent Garden by The Royal Ballet and was an immediate success: the first night was met with rapturous applause, which lasted for 40 minutes, and an incredible 43 curtain calls. The title roles were danced by Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn, although the ballet had been created on Christopher Gable and Lynn Seymour. It has been performed by The Royal Ballet more than four hundred times since, as well as touring the world, and has become a true classic of the 20th-century ballet repertory.

[RoyalBalletAndOpera]

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[bnbrownies]

Russian music, French choreography, History about Italians written by an Englishman and costumes made in Portugal, a perfect example to illustrate European civilization from west to east.

[ErmakBrovar]

This is not a dance. This is the demonstration of how good the tailors are.

[ClairenotClary]

This is like the most menacing line dance ever.

[ELITEWAFFLES]

A play written by a English guy, about Italians, set with the music from a Russian guy. Tight.

[that_one_guy]

I just realized, the men move to the deep sounds of the trombones and tubas whilst the women move to the sweet loud sounds of the violins

[heyryanisonx]

A relatively simple dance, but elevated to the next level through costumes, scenery, and acting. It really shows you how important yet often overlooked these elements are to creating a memorable ballet.

[Zelomeisterdude]

This is how I walk the aisles whilst doing my grocery shopping.

[ingridsommer]

No wonder Juliet was such a dramatic diva, this is what she grew up with!😎

[Amclaren]

I'm hearing the music and there is this tiny part of my brain that keeps hearing the imperial march from Star Wars

[robertwilliamson]

This is an absolute gem. The haughty demeanor of the knights is terrific. One of Prokoviefs best compositions.

[pinkwings]

The dancing is lovely and all, but I just want to snag Lady Capulet's fashion, her dress is utterly FABULOUS.

What I really love about the Royal Ballet is how they don't just send the older dancers away and instead they become teachers of the younger dancers. That way even if they're no longer on stage, their vast knowledge after years of actual dancing doesn't go to waste.

[annakiryakova]

The music of Sergei Prokofiev is powerful. Great Russian soul at work.

[amarevicina]

This gives off such an intimidating yet graceful vibe to it.

[zannanguyen]

Friend: What song is your theme song for when you’re mad or angry? Mine is Bicycle race from Queen
Me:

[tamimyacqub]

It's a amazing how steps so simple can look this graceful with that synchronization

[hhsrrrr]

This piece is one of Prokofiev's masterpieces. The music creeps me out, but I love it!

[benoitpellet]

The haughtiness of the music and the dancers is amazing.

[dg]

OMG... the entire stage is like a painting come to life. I could live in the music.