Shakespeare has a way with death. He can make it brutal. He can make it haunt our dreams. And, in Romeo and Juliet, he can make it seem oh so romantic. Written in the 1590s, his tale of two star-crossed lovers has enough passion and tragedy to inspire numerous retellings. Even though most readers are beyond the need of a spoiler alert, when the final scene unfolds during the upcoming production of Romeo and Juliet by the Winnipeg Royal Ballet, the wound of loss will hurt afresh. This will be the first time Amanda Green dances as principal ballerina in the role; shes joined by guest artist Liang Xing of the National Ballet of China. Told in all its classic beauty, the choreography is by the late Rudi van Dantzig, who honours the lyrical poetry of Prokofievs score with his own deeply romantic interpretation of the story. Its January 30 to February 1 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Tickets are $29 to $89 and available at Ticketmaster.ca. Réjean Brandt photo
