Northern Ballet return to Leeds Playhouse this month with their award-winning Romeo & Juliet

A ballet masterpiece will be resurrected in Leeds this month as Northern Ballet’s iconic Romeo & Juliet plays Leeds Playhouse’s Quarry Theatre from 18 – 21 June.

Federico Bonelli, Artistic Director Northern Ballet, said: “We are delighted to be back at Leeds Playhouse with Romeo & Juliet. This ballet, created by Northern Ballet legends Christopher Gable CBE and Massimo Moricone, is a tour de force of ballet, drama and storytelling. It’s a production which we are proud to call a Northern Ballet classic, a real cornerstone of what makes the Company who we are. It has also been a true labour of love as the company worked to bring back the ballet – from the sets, costumes and the choreography – after it was destroyed in the 2015 Boxing Day floods. Audiences at Leeds Playhouse are in for an extra treat as we perform on their thrust stage which means you will be even closer to the action, feeling every breath of this emotional story.” 

Romeo & Juliet delivers ballet at its most dramatic and intense. With glorious dancing and Sergei Prokofiev’s timeless music, audiences can rediscover the iconic love story like it’s the very first time.

The beloved adaptation by Christopher Gable CBE and Massimo Moricone, which was broadcast by the BBC and enjoyed sell-out performances in the UK and overseas, was forced into hiatus after sets and costumes were damaged in floods.

Thanks to generous donations and the hard work of cast and crew, Northern Ballet restored the production to its former glory, wowing audiences during its 2024 tour, which was seen by nearly 60,000 people and took in 9 cities, including an historic run at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Now the ballet returns to Leeds for a further 6 performances at Leeds Playhouse, where the thrust stage will get audiences even closer to the drama, including the productions iconic 80kg rice drop creating an unforgettable moment at the end of Act 2.

In addition to the recreation of sets, props and costumes, the Company worked closely with choreographer Massimo Moricone, original cast members Jayne Regan Pink and William Walker and former Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company Gregory Doran to recapture the ballet’s incredible drama.

Realistic street-fighting and swordplay were specially created for the production by Jonathan Howell, whose credits include working with Hollywood stars such as Mel Gibson and Faye Dunaway. The stunning sets and costumes were created by celebrated designer Lez Brotherston. The music is recorded by The Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra led by Mario Kosik.

An audio described performance will be offered at the matinee on Saturday 21 June. Co-written by former Northern Ballet Premier Dancer Pippa Moore MBE and VocalEyes, audio description provides a unique insight into Northern Ballet productions and brings performances to life for those living with visual impairments.

“magnificent” ★★★★ The Stage
“well-polished” ★★★★ The Times
“a cracking revival” ★★★★ The Telegraph

Listings info

• Northern Ballet presents
• Romeo & Juliet
• Quarry Theatre, Leeds Playhouse
• 18 – 21 June
• Running time: 2 hours 25 minutes
• Age 10+  Box office 0113 213 7700
• Book online leedsplayhouse.org.uk