Romeo and Juliet, Northern Ballet, Sadler's Wells

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is surely the greatest, most heart-rending love story ever told; and over the centuries it's been appealing to creatives of all kinds, who've tried to make their mark on this tragedy. When it comes to dance versions, in London we're more familiar with Kenneth MacMillan's, which The Royal Ballet regularly brings to the stage at Covent Garden.

But powerful as it is, MacMillan's is only one of very many dance versions of the tale of the star-cross'd lovers; and this spring we have the opportunity to see another, equally interesting version, courtesy of Northern Ballet.

The Leeds-based company, now under the artistic direction of former Royal Ballet principal Federico Bonelli, premiered its own Romeo and Juliet in 1991 to widespread acclaim – it would go on to win a raft of awards. Set to Prokofiev's glorious, eloquent score, it was choreographed by the multi-award winning Italian dance-maker Massimo Moricone, and directed and devised by the then Northern Ballet artistic director Christopher Gable.


However, disaster struck when the ballet's sets and costumes, designed by the great Lez Brotherston, were damaged in floods; this kept the production away from the stage for a long 16 years. Now, though, with a little help from friends and supporters, Northern Ballet has restored its Romeo and Juliet to its former glory, and embarked on a UK tour that will culminate at Sadler's Wells.

Northern Ballet specialises in narrative ballets and its dancers are second to none when it comes to telling a story. Culture Whisper thinks we're in for a treat.