In response to the overwhelming demand from ballet aficionados and fans residing in Quezon City and its vicinity, Ballet Manila’s production of “Romeo and Juliet” is slated for a restaging at the Hyundai Hall, located within the creative and innovative hub of ARETÉ on the campus of Ateneo de Manila University. The performances are scheduled for September 16, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., as well as on September 17, 2023, at 3:00 p.m.
This reprisal is part of the collaboration between Ballet Manila and ARETÉ, a partnership that strives to make classical ballet more accessible to audiences in the northern and eastern parts of Manila.
Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, Ballet Manila’s Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer, expressed her excitement about this development: “We are the first ballet company to perform of this caliber at Hyundai Hall of ARETÉ. It’s finally happening with Martin Lawrance’s version of ‘Romeo + Juliet.’“
Ricardo Abad, ARETÉ’s Artistic Director, sees this partnership as an opportunity to leverage their networks to build a larger community that shares the same passion and vision for the performing arts. He mentioned, “The idea is to invite Ballet Manila to be part of our community by sharing our contacts and vice versa. This way, we can collaborate on more performances, workshops, and sessions.”
With more shows in the pipeline to be staged at ARETÉ, audiences near Ateneo de Manila University can anticipate world-class performances and the stunning visuals that Ballet Manila is renowned for.
“Romeo and Juliet,” originally penned by the celebrated English playwright William Shakespeare in 1597, narrates the forbidden love story between two young Italians from feuding families in Verona, Italy, culminating tragically in the demise of the star-crossed lovers. However, Lawrance’s rendition, “Romeo + Juliet,” combines elements from musicals such as “West Side Story” and Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet” while infusing his unique touch. The performance unfolds in a picturesque Philippine town, with dancers donning modern, hip attire and dancing to a fusion of Prokofiev and “West Side Story” scores, intertwined with beloved OPM (Original Pilipino Music) tunes.
Lawrance elaborated on his approach: “I’ve mixed Prokofiev’s Romeo + Juliet, ‘West Side Story,’ and OPM to make the texture rich while still keeping it in the now. I also had the chance to revisit and rework this re-staging, so it’s like my R&J 2.0.”
The restaging will feature captivating performances by Joshua Enciso and Pearl Dames, who will assume the roles of the titular tragic lovers as principal dancers of the company.
Through Ballet Manila’s modern interpretation of “Romeo + Juliet” at ARETÉ, the goal is to attract a broader audience to ballet and make it more appealing to everyone. Estrelle Ladrido, Executive Director of ARETÉ, emphasized this objective, saying, “We are hoping to build a new audience that will appreciate ballet and, at the same time, dispel the misconception that ballet is only for the elite or enthusiasts.”
Tickets for “Romeo and Juliet” are exclusively available at www.ticketworld.com.ph or by calling 8891 9999. To discover more about Ballet Manila and its upcoming shows, visit www.balletmanila.com.ph.
