FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hong Kong Ballet’s Acclaimed Romeo + Juliet
Returns to Hong Kong after a Successful Seoul Tour
[Hong Kong — 14 October 2025] After its triumphant Seoul debut, Romeo + Juliet returns for five performances at Hong Kong Cultural Centre’s Grand Theatre during 17-19 October. Set in lively 1960s Hong Kong, Romeo + Juliet opened ‘Hong Kong Week 2025@Seoul’ at National Theatre of Korea last month. The beloved ballet was a powerful moment of cultural dialogue, and audiences were captivated by the lush East-meets-West reimagining of the classic tragic love story, with its visually and emotionally rich amalgam of passion, conflict and youthful yearning.
‘Septime Webre’s choreography masterfully interweaves Shakespeare's drama with Prokofiev's score, creating a breathtaking synergy that elevates the dance to a power of 200%. His uniquely distinctive approach sheds new light on this classic tragedy.’
— Arte magazine (Korea)
With critically-acclaimed 2023 performances in New York and North Carolina, Septime Webre’s award-winning production transports audiences to a world of triad family rivalries, bamboo-walled streets bathed in glowing neon lights, glamorous cheongsams and high-stakes mahjong games. To bring compelling street battle choreography inspired by kungfu to life, HKB worked with martial arts advocate Hing Chao and International Guoshu Association kungfu masters to fuse dance, drama and martial arts together in the unique, award-winning production.
Romeo + Juliet features over 280 vibrant costumes by Mandy Tam and Ricky Chan’s richly authentic Hong Kong sets. Juliet’s father is an unrelenting Shanghainese tycoon who is determined to marry his only daughter off to a wealthy gweilo (Caucasian) for social advancement, not knowing that Juliet has already given her heart to the son of his greatest enemy. Despite conflicts and bitter resentment, young Romeo and Juliet unexpectedly discover the all-consuming power of love and defy those closest to them to be together no matter the cost.
Accompanied by Prokofiev’s iconic, sweeping score—performed live by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta under the baton of renowned ballet conductor Fayçal Karoui—Romeo + Juliet continues to captivate audiences near and far with its breathtaking dancing and powerful story that celebrates the beauty and fragility of love and its enduring power to move us all.
Romeo + Juliet
17.10.2025 (Fri) 7:30pm*
18.10.2025 (Sat) 2:30pm^ & 7:30pm*
19.10.2025 (Sun) 2:30pm* & 7:30pm^
*$1,200 (Limited VIP Tickets) $760, $560, $400, $260
^$1,000 (Limited VIP Tickets) $680, $480, $320, $180
Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
The performance lasts approximately 2 hrs 15 min, including an intermission.
For ages 6 and above
Creative Team
Choreography: Septime Webre
Music: Sergei Prokofiev
Costume Design: Mandy Tam
Set Design: Ricky Chan
Assistant Set Design: Ryan Lo
Lighting Design: Billy Chan
Re-lighting: Ruby Yau
Sound Design: Leung Sze Wah, Sherman
Dramaturge: Yan Pat To
Make-up Design: M-A-C Cosmetics
Martial Arts Advisor: Hing Chao
Martial Arts Partner: International Guoshu Association
Live Accompaniment: Hong Kong Sinfonietta
Conductor: Fayçal Karoui
For further information, please contact:
Jerry Qiu | Communications & Programme Manager | T: 2105 9753 / 6879 6734 | [email protected]
Ruth Chung | Marketing and PR Manager | T: 2105 9716 / 9741 7319 | [email protected]
About Hong Kong Ballet
Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) is recognised internationally as a world-class institution that represents Hong Kong’s unique character. Since its inception in 1979, HKB has evolved into a vibrant performing arts organisation with a dynamic repertoire, forward-thinking community engagement initiatives and an emphasis on excellence.
Comprised of 50 dancers from all over the globe – Hong Kong, Mainland China and other parts of Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and North America, HKB has won recognition both regionally and internationally with celebrated re-stagings of the classics, neoclassical masterworks by George Balanchine and others and original ballets created for HKB and about Hong Kong.
Additionally, HKB performs works by its Artistic Director Septime Webre and some of today’s most sought-after choreographers, including Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon, Wayne McGregor, Justin Peck, Jiří Kylian, Nacho Duato and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa as well as innovative new works by its Choreographer-in-Residence Hu Song Wei Ricky and numerous emerging Hong Kong choreographers.
HKB stands out as a dynamic Hong Kong cultural ambassador, sharing its unique repertoire and style with audiences in Europe, North America, Mainland China and Asia. With over 50 international tours since its founding, this year HKB will have performed or presented immersive works in Macau, Venice, New York, London, Seoul and Shanghai. HKB maintains the Hong Kong Academy of Ballet, a professionally-oriented ballet school, as well as a full schedule of award-winning community programmes and crossover collaborations throughout Hong Kong to ensure ballet is accessible to all. HKB has also produced engaging original videos and dance films that have collectively garnered over 10 million views online, connecting with ballet lovers worldwide.
