A long-running ballet adaptation of a timeless love story is coming to Nanaimo.
On Feb. 9, Ballet Jörgen presents Romeo and Juliet at the Port Theatre as part of the venue’s Spotlight Series. It’s been 25 years since the Canadian dance company first staged its adaptation of the Shakespeare play and artistic director and choreographer Bengt Jörgen said he’s “very pleased that it’s stood the test of time.”
“Did I think that it would last for 25 years? I probably wouldn’t have put a number on it,” he said. “But I did feel that it would be a mainstay of our repertoire and it’s the longest-running ballet in our repertoire that hasn’t been changed.”
The dancers will be performing to the Romeo and Juliet score written by 20th century Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev. Jörgen said the music suits the play so well that Romeo and Juliet was “probably one of the easiest ballets to create.”
“It’s really a fabulous score that really outlines emotionally the journey of Romeo and Juliet along the way,” he said. “And once you have great music, great feeling in the music, it’s very simple to create movement to it because it is so expressive.”
Jörgen said over the years each cast has brought something new to the production and even dancers who haven’t read Romeo and Juliet have been moved by the ballet. He said “it’s great when you realize that the work speaks to people again over generations.”
“It’s one of those quintessential stories that talks about the belief in something beyond ourselves, true love … and to hold on to that belief and idealism and love is challenging,” Jörgen said. “And of course Romeo and Juliet is one [story] where they do and they pay the ultimate price. So it’s very human, I guess that’s the way to put it, and it’s a timeless story.”
WHAT’S ON … Ballet Jörgen’s Romeo and Juliet comes to the Port Theatre, 125 Front St., on Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $40 for adults, $35 for members, $15 for students with valid ID. Available from the box office. Post-show chat in the theatre.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com
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