English National Ballet: Romeo and Juliet Tickets

English National Ballet: Romeo and Juliet in London

In January 2027, Romeo and Juliet, one of the greatest love stories ever told returns to the London Coliseum, just off Leicester Square, in a landmark revival from English National Ballet. In celebration of the ballet’s 50th anniversary, Rudolf Nureyev’s iconic production returns to the stage where it first premiered in 1977, for Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee. Based on Shakespeare’s tragic romance, and set to a score by Sergei Prokofiev, “'Emotion pours from every corner of the [...] stage” (Bachtrack) - secure your tickets to English National Ballet: Romeo and Juliet today.

What Is the Ballet Romeo and Juliet About?

A balletic reimagining of Shakespeare’s ultimate tragedy, Romeo and Juliet is set in Renaissance Italy, in the divided city of Verona, where hostility between the Montagues and the Capulets threatens to erupt into violence. Amid simmering hatred and public clashes, fate intervenes when Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet meet and fall instantly, irrevocably in love.
Their relationship blooms in secret, but the world around them is ruled by loyalty, honour and revenge. As tensions escalate, their love is tested by forces beyond their control. The question at the heart of the story remains as urgent as ever: can young love survive in a society consumed by conflict?

Rudolf Nureyev’s choreography captures both the intimacy of first love and the electrifying drama of street battles and ballroom encounters. From the famous balcony pas de deux to the devastating final embrace, the ballet moves from tenderness to tragedy with gripping theatrical power.

The History of English National Ballet: Romeo and Juliet

Nureyev created the production in 1977 for Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee, and it premiered at the London Coliseum the same year. Since its debut, Romeo and Juliet has become one of English National Ballet’s defining works, remaining a cornerstone of the company’s repertoire, admired for its scale, emotional clarity and faithful storytelling. Prokofiev’s score features some of the ballet's most instantly recognisable works and orchestral suites, including the stirring “Dance of the Knights”, performed live by the English National Ballet Philharmonic.

Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, this revival offers audiences the chance to see a landmark production in the theatre where it began, in a full-circle moment for one of ballet’s most enduring interpretations.

The Cast of English National Ballet's Romeo and Juliet

Casting varies by performance, with principal dancers from English National Ballet taking on the roles of Romeo, Juliet, Mercutio, Tybalt and the wider Verona ensemble.

The score is performed by the English National Ballet Philharmonic.

The Creative Team of Romeo and Juliet

This production of English Romeo and Juliet was choreographed by Rudolf Nureyev(1938–1993). One of the most influential figures in 20th-century ballet, Nuruyev was a Soviet-born ballet dancer choreographer, and former director of the Paris Opera Ballet. Formerly a principal dancer for the Kirov (now Mariinsky) Ballet, Nureyev defected from the Soviet Union in 1961, establishing an international performing career which included roles with the Chicago Opera Ballet and as principal dancer for The Royal Ballet. As a choreographer, he is best known for his dramatically intense productions, which expanded roles for male dancers, including Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, and La Bayadère.

Sergei Prokofiev (1891–1953) was a Russian composer, pianist and conductor, regarded as one of the major composers of the 20th century. His body of work spans symphonies, concertos, operas, film scores and ballets. Among his best-known works are the ballet Cinderella, the children’s classic Peter and the Wolf, the opera War and Peace, and the cantata Alexander Nevsky (adapted from his score for Sergei Eisenstein’s film). His piano concertos and symphonies remain staples of the orchestral repertoire, and Prokofiev’s music continues to be widely performed worldwide.

Tickets for Romeo and Juliet at the London Coliseum

You won’t want to miss this huge revival of one of literature's greatest romances, adapted into one of ballet’s most powerful works by one of the 20th century's most influential choreographers. Romeo and Juliet is “entertainment as vital, as alive and as stirring as can be” (The Telegraph), and returns to London to celebrate the production's 50th Anniversary. Allow yourself to fall in love - secure your tickets for English National Ballet: Romeo and Juliet at the London Coliseum today.