Romeo & Juliet Suite
Sydney Opera House
Navigating seamlessly between the conventions of cinema, dance and theatre, Benjamin Millepied’s Romeo & Juliet suite will make its Australian premiere in an exclusive season at the Sydney Opera House from 5 – 9 June, 2024. Marking his Australian debut with this work, Millepied brings his reimagining of Shakespeare’s timeless story and Prokofiev’s classical masterpiece to the Joan Sutherland Theatre and beyond.
At the heart of this enduring tale, three couples will perform the pas-de-deux roles of Romeo and Juliet, with the male-male pairing on Wednesday 5 and Saturday 8 (matinee), the female-female pairing on Thursday 6 and Saturday 8(evening), and the female-male pairing on Friday 7 and Sunday 9 June. Reflecting a universal expression of love, the three couples bring Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers into a contemporary setting.
The production harnesses the interplay of dance and live cinema to tell the classic story through a bold, modern lens. A film crew follows the L.A. Dance Project ensemble as they perform on-stage and move throughout the building into unexpected spaces, with the live performance broadcast back to audiences inside the theatre in real-time.
One of the world’s most prolific and inventive artists, Millepied is the co-founder and artistic director of the boundary-pushing non-profit L.A. Dance Project. A former principal dancer with New York City Ballet, Millepied captured broad public attention with his starring role choreographing and performing in the award-winning feature film Black Swan, before being appointed Director of Dance at Paris Opera in 2014. Making his directorial debut as a filmmaker with the 2022 musical Carmen, his Romeo & Juliet suite fuses together the elements of his multi-genre storytelling.
Speaking about the work, Benjamin Millepied shared: “I am deeply proud of L.A. Dance Project, the artistic journey I’ve embarked on over the past decade alongside my dedicated partner Lucinda Lent and our exceptional team. The opportunity for our company to grace the stage of the Sydney Opera House is a dream realized. This moment holds profound significance, not only because the Sydney Opera House is an emblem of global culture, but also because Australia and its people hold a unique space in my heart. Sydney, I eagerly anticipate our reunion!”
Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Performance, Ebony Bott says: “We’re thrilled to welcome celebrated artist Benjamin Millepied to the Sydney Opera House for his Australian premiere season. This work speaks profoundly to the spirit of reinvention, taking what is known and pushing our interpretations and expectations further. We’re excited to present this beloved story in such an innovative way, both on and off the stage to showcase our beautiful venue alongside this stunning performance.”
