A balletic masterpiece of the 20th century, Romeo and Juliet is Rudi van Dantzig's powerful interpretation of the immortal tragedy by William Shakespeare. The Hong Kong Ballet is proud to present van Dantzig's passionate choreography with the Hong Kong Philharmonic playing Sergei Prokofiev's glorious score. Together they will bring this classic love story, vividly to life.
With its sumptuous sets and costumes, thrilling fight scenes and tragic denouement, this production of Romeo and Juliet embodies everything ballet should be - a must for every Hong Kong ballet lover.
André Lewis, Artistic Director of Royal Winnipeg Ballet will join forces with the Company to restage Romeo and Juliet. Designer Toer van Schayk will also be in town for the creation of the production.
Rudi van Dantzig, Toer van Schayk and André Lewis will arrive Hong Kong in Mid February. Media interview and rehearsal visit are welcome. For enquiries, please call 2105 9722 Ms. Cheung or 2105 9712 Ms. Wong.
Programme details
Choreography : Rudi van Dantzig
Music : Sergei Prokofiev
Set & Costume : Toer van Schayk
Assistant to the Choreographer : André Lewis
Lighting : Alice Kwong
Conductor : Richard Bernas
Orchestra: Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
For age 6 or above
23-24.3.2007 - (7:30pm)
24-25.3.2007 - (2:30pm)
Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall
$230, 180, 130, 80
* Couple tickets $420
(include two top-priced tickets and a souvenir)
Tickets available NOW at all URBTIX outlets
Reservations: 2734 9009
Credit Card Booking: 2111 5999
Internet Booking : www.urbtix.hk
Programme Enquiries: 2105 9724 / marketing@hkballet.com
* For age 6 or above
Special treat to audience:
Children Workshop:
Be Romeo and Juliet
Date: 25 March 2007
Time: 1 - 2:00pm
Venue: Lecture Room 2, Sha Tin Town Hall
Enquiries : 2105 9743 or 2105 9744
Notes to Editors:
About Romeo and Juliet
- Over 130 items of sets and props will be produced
- Over 200 costumes will be made
- Over 60 artists and children dancers will be participating in the performance
- Hong Kong Ballet is the first ballet company in Asia to present this full-scale production
Rudi van Dantzig
- One of the founding members of the Netherlands Dance Theatre and the Artistic Director of Dutch National Ballet from 1971 to 1991
- Choreographed his first ballet in 1955 for the Dutch National Ballet. Today, Rudi van Dantzig is one of Europe's most distinguished and prolific choreographers with more than 40 ballets to his credit
- Being guest choreographer with companies that include the Rambert Dance Company, the Royal Ballet, the Royal Danish Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, The National Ballet of Canada and Bat-Dor Dance Company in Israel
- Born in Amsterdam, Holland in 1933, began dance studies with Sonia Gaskell and later strongly influenced by the modern dance technique of Martha Graham and the work of George Balanchine
- van Dantzig has used the medium of dance to convey his deep-felt feelings for humanity and its constant struggle. His objective is to inspire audiences to attempt to make changes for the better. "For me a ballet does not finish when the curtain close. It goes on."
Toer van Schayk
- Born in Amsterdam, first studied with IraÏl Gadeskov then in Sonia Gaskell's Company, the Netherlands Ballet, where he launched his dancing career (1955-1959), then interrupted his career to study sculpture at the Royal Academy of Arts in The Hague
- Returned to the Dutch Natianal Ballet in 1965, his expressive and powerful interpretations led him to become one of the company's best - loved soloists
- Produced and choreographed in close collaboration with Rudi van Dantzig with works including Romeo and Juliet, Life, Buigen of Barsten and Swan Lake
André Lewis
- Artistic Director of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. He joined the company in 1979 and became the company's Artistic Director since 1996
- Born in Hull, Québec, began ballet training at the Classical Ballet Studio in Ottawa and entered to Professional Division of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School in 1975
- Appeared as guest artist throughout North America, Asia and the USSR
- André's television and film credits include Romeo and Juliet (CBC), Firebird (Greece National Televison), Belong Pas de Deux (IMAX)
Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953)
- 20th century Russian composer who wrote in a wide range of musical genres, including symphonies, concerti, film music, operas, ballets and programme pieces.
- Profofiev's music for ballet spans his career from 1915 to his death in 1953. He has a special gift for ballet music which placed him in the big league alongside Tchaikovsky, Ravel and Stravinsky.
- Romeo and Juliet is one of Prokofiev's most widely admired works with its theatrical sweep and expressive power.
- Born in Sontsovka in 1891, began piano training at the age of 3 and studied music at the St. Petersburg Conservatory at the age of 13.
- Wrote his first composition The Indian Galop at the age of 6 and won the Rubenstein Prize at a piano performance playing his own composition in 1914.
