A Ballet in Three Acts After William Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet

In Verona, the Montagues and Capulets are locked in a bitter feud. But this does not stop the young members of these rival families – Romeo and Juliet – from falling in love and secretly marrying. When Juliet’s family pledges her to another man, she fakes her death and sends word to Romeo of her plan. But the message never reaches him. Believing Juliet is truly gone, Romeo takes his life. When Juliet awakens to find her beloved dead, she follows his tragic example. 

Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean...

Act I

Scene 1: A Street in Verona, Italy
The scene is set in the early Renaissance, about 1400. Romeo, son of Lord Montague, is infatuated with Rosalind and flirts with her in the courtyard. The city begins to awaken and the townspeople open the market for trade. But all is not peaceful. The city’s two most powerful families, the Capulets and the Montagues, are feuding bitterly. Playful teasing soon turns into a brawl as members of the opposing families draw swords and begin to fight. Romeo joins his friends, Mercutio and Benvolio and the three become involved in the brawl. The riot is quelled by the arrival of the Duke of Verona, who decrees the death penalty if either family disturbs the peace again.

Scene 2: The Capulet’s Garden
Juliet, the young daughter of Lord Capulet, plays with her Nurse. Her mother joins them, bringing Juliet the dress she is to wear that evening to her first ball. Excited, Juliet dances about with her dress but stops suddenly when she realizes that her carefree childhood is coming to an end.

Scene 3: The Foyer of the Capulet’s Palace
Elegant guests arrive at the ball. Although not invited, Romeo, Mercutio and Benvolio boldly make their way into the foyer, cloaked and masked as revellers.

Scene 4: The Capulet’s Ballroom
Juliet shyly arrives at the ball and is introduced to Count Paris, to whom she is betrothed. While Juliet is dancing with Paris, she and Romeo see one another for the first time and fall in love. They steal a few moments together away from the guests until Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin, recognizes Romeo and challenges him to a duel. Lord Capulet stops the disturbance.

Scene 5: Juliet’s Balcony
Later the same night Romeo hides in the Capulet’s garden and overhears Juliet professing her love for him. Romeo reveals himself to Juliet and the young lovers swear their eternal devotion.

Act II

Scene 1: A Street in Verona
Verona is celebrating a festive holiday. Juliet’s Nurse finds her way through the crowd in search of Romeo to give him a note from her mistress. Juliet has agreed to meet Romeo secretly in Friar Laurence’s cell where they can be married.

Scene 2: Friar Laurence’s Cell
Friar Laurence marries the young lovers, hoping that this will end the feud between their two families.

Scene 3: A Street in Verona
The festivities are interrupted by Tybalt, who is intent upon resuming his quarrel with Romeo. Romeo, however, is aware that Juliet’s relatives are now his own, so he avoids a duel with Tybalt. Mercutio, appalled at his friend’s apparent lack of spirit, accepts.

Tybalt’s challenge on Romeo’s behalf. In attempting to stop the fight, Romeo inadvertently causes Mercutio’s death. Shocked out of his peaceful resolution, Romeo kills Tybalt, avenging his friend. Lady Capulet witnesses the death and grieves passionately over her dead nephew.

Act III

Scene 1: Juliet’s Bedroom
Romeo, banished from Verona for killing Tybalt, has remained for his wedding night with Juliet. At dawn, he is forced to leave. Juliet’s parents enter with Paris and inform her that she is to marry Paris the next day. In desperation Juliet hurries away to seek advice from Friar Laurence.

Scene 2: Friar Laurence’s Cell
Reluctantly, Friar Laurence gives Juliet a vial containing a sleeping potion that will induce a death-like coma. He will send a message to Romeo, telling him what has happened and he will return to rescue her from the family vault.

Scene 3: Juliet’s Bedroom
Filled with fear and doubts, Juliet forces herself to drink the potion and falls unconscious on the bed. In the morning Juliet’s bridesmaids arrive to present her with flowers. Lady Capulet and the Nurse are unable to wake Juliet and presume she is dead.

Scene 4: The Capulet Vault
Juliet is laid to rest in the Capulet Vault. Romeo has heard of Juliet’s death but has not received Friar Laurence’s explanatory letter. He hurries to her tomb and finds Paris there. In desperation Romeo kills Paris. Believing Juliet to be dead, Romeo takes his own life. Juliet, recovering from the potion, is horrified to find Romeo dead beside her. Unable to live without him, she joins him in death.

...never was a story of more woe
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.

• Romeo and Juliet bookended the National Ballet’s tenure at Toronto’s O’Keefe Centre (now Meridian Hall) as both the first, in 1964, and final ballet it performed there, in 2006.
   
• The company toured Romeo and Juliet extensively in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with stops across Canada and in Washington D.C., Mexico City and at Expo ‘70 in Japan.  
   
• Jürgen Rose’s original costumes were destroyed in a fire in 1973. This revival features designs by Canada’s Susan Benson, who reimagined the production in 1995.
   
• Former Artistic Director Reid Anderson developed a close connection with Cranko when he was a dancer at Stuttgart Ballet and went on to introduce more of his productions, including Onegin, to the National Ballet repertoire, where they became favourites for artists and audiences alike.

Share the Magic, October 31, 2026 at 1:00 pm
 
To mark the opening of the 75th anniversary season, the first performance of this milestone year will be a Share the Magic matinee performance where we will welcome over 1,800 community members experiencing challenging circumstances to see a National Ballet performance for free. These free performances are an invitation and our way of saying The National Ballet of Canada belongs to everyone. We are committed to aligning our mission with access and want audiences across the city to feel welcomed into what we do, to feel the joy of ballet without barriers.
 
Since its inception in 1986, Share the Magic has brought the joy of dance to nearly 120,000 audience members at no cost through partnerships with social service and health support agencies throughout the GTA. This season, the National Ballet will also present a Share the Magic performance of The Nutcracker. 
 
75th Anniversary Opening Night Celebration of Romeo and Juliet, October 31, 2026 at 7:30 pm 
 
Following the Share the Magic matinee, we present a special 75th Anniversary Opening Night Celebration of Romeo and Juliet, honouring the company’s enduring legacy and bold ambition with an evening of dance, memories and celebration with alumni, members of the company and audience members.

Born in South Africa, John Cranko danced with The Royal Ballet and created some of the 20th century’s most enduring story ballets. Works such as Romeo and Juliet, Onegin and Taming of the Shrew are renowned for their rich characterization, drama and musicality and continue to be performed by leading companies worldwide. 

Completed in 1935, Sergei Prokofiev’s score is regarded as one of ballet’s finest. Its sections are named for key scenes, such as the iconic “Dance of the Knights,” while distinctive leitmotifs evoke the nuances of Shakespeare’s characters. The music’s emotional range mirrors the story, moving from youthful passion to profound loss.

Choreography:
John Cranko
A Ballet in Three Acts After William Shakespeare
© Reid Anderson-Graefe

Music:
Sergei Prokofiev

Set and Costume Design:
Susan Benson, C.M.

Lighting Design:
Robert Thomson

Reproduced and Staged by:
Reid Anderson-Graefe and Yseult Lendvai

Reproduced from Benesh Notation by:
Jane Bourne (1993)

World Premiere: Stuttgart Ballet, Stuttgart, Germany, December 2, 1962

The National Ballet of Canada Premiere: Place des Arts, Montréal, April 14, 1964  

This production of Romeo and Juliet entered the repertoire of The National Ballet of Canada on February 8, 1995 and was entirely underwritten by Walter Carsen, O.C.

Lead philanthropic support for the revitalization of Romeo and Juliet (2027) is provided by Mary & John Crocker and Laura Dinner & Richard Rooney, O.Ont. 

Tickets can be purchased online at national.ballet.ca or over the phone by calling 416 (1 866) 345 9595. If you have questions about specific seating locations or need accessible seating, our Audience and Donor Services team are happy to help.

Main Season Seating Map

Tickets start at $66. Detailed pricing for each price zone is available at time of purchase.

When picking up tickets at the Box Office, you will be asked to provide photo ID and the credit card of purchase to receive your tickets. Please ensure you arrive in plenty of time to collect your tickets prior to the start of the performance.

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Please note, the box office at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts is open during The National Ballet of Canada’s performance season two hours prior to the performance start time. Doors to the Four Seasons Centre are open one hour prior to the performance. Our phone lines remain open for all your ticketing needs and tickets can be purchased online anytime at your convenience.

Gift Certificates are available in any denomination. Call (1 866) 416 345 9595.

A limited number of Rush tickets are available for up to 50% at 11:00 am on the day of the performance for select performances, subject to availability. Rush tickets are limited to two per person and can be purchased online with the promo code RUSH, or over the phone at 416 (1 866) 345 9595. Excludes The Nutcracker and the Gala.

Please Note: Rush tickets can also be purchased in person at the Box Office at the Four Seasons Centre, subject to availability. The Box Office is open two hours before the performance.

Standing Room tickets are $12 and go on sale at 11:00 am on the day of the performance. For 11:00 am performances on December 24 and 31, tickets will go on sale at 9:00 am. Standing Room tickets can now be purchased online with the promo code STAND, or over the phone at 416 (1 866)Subject to availability and limited to 2 per person. Tickets must be collected in person at the box office counter, open 2 hours before the performance. Excludes the Gala and opening night celebration on October 31.

Please Note: Standing Room tickets can also be purchased in person at the Box Office at the Four Seasons Centre, subject to availability. The Box Office is open 2 hours before the performance.

Tips for Standing Room ticket holders:

• Please wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to stand for the duration of the performance
• In consideration of other audience members, please stand as close to the railing as possible and avoid excessive movement during the performance
• Not recommended for children
• Portable sitting devices and sitting on the railings is not permitted
• Each of the locations have a hook and a leaning rail, we recommend patrons be a minimum of 5’ height to view the performance clearly
• Please note, the Four Seasons Centre is not responsible for lost or stolen items

Toronto Arts Workers can access $45 Rush Tickets at 11:00 am the day of the performance, subject to availability, with promo code ARTSWORKERRUSH (excluding The Nutcracker and Gala). Tickets must be picked up in person at the Box Office, open 2 hours before the performance. Arts Workers must present valid Arts Worker ID when collecting tickets.

Please Note: Toronto Arts Workers tickets can also be purchased in person at the Box Office at the Four Seasons Centre, subject to availability. The Box Office is open 2 hours before the performance.

All performances take place at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, located at 145 Queen Street West, Toronto, on the southeast corner of University Avenue and Queen Street West.

The main theatre entrance can be found on the southeast corner of University Avenue and Queen Street West. There are direct entrances to the venue from Osgoode Subway Station and the underground parking garage.

Parking

Underground parking is available at the Four Seasons Centre for approximately 200 vehicles. The entrance is located on York Street, south of Queen Street West.

Additional parking is located just steps away at the GREEN P lot under Nathan Phillips Square. For more information on this and other lots in the vicinity, visit GreenP.com.

The designated drop-off area is located on the east side of University Avenue between Queen and Richmond Streets.

By Public Transit

TTC
Four Seasons Centre is directly accessible from Osgoode Subway station on Yonge-University Line 1. The 501 Queen streetcar stops outside the building at the corner of University Avenue. Visit ttc.ca for more information.

GO Transit
From Union Station, it's a 10-minute walk to the theatre, heading north along York Street to Queen Street West and west to University Avenue. Alternatively, you can take the subway from Union to Osgoode Station. Visit GoTransit.com for more information.

Yes. The National Ballet of Canada is committed to honouring its performance schedule and all performances proceed as scheduled, despite weather conditions and traffic delays.

If travelling to the theatre in inclement weather, please allow plenty of extra time and check the TTC or GO Transit for delays and updates.

The National Ballet regrets that tickets not used due to inclement weather, traffic delays or TTC closures cannot be refunded or exchanged.

For an up-to-date list of transit delays, please visit please ttc.ca or gotransit.ca.

All sales are final with no refunds. However, let us know up to 24 hours prior to a performance and we can exchange your tickets at a cost of $10 per ticket (exchanges are FREE for Subscribers).

Contact Audience and Donor Services at 416 (1 866) 345 9595 and provide your order number, which can be found on the right side of your printed or digital ticket, or on your order confirmation. Tickets may be exchanged up to 24 hours before your original performance date.

Subscribers are welcome to exchange tickets throughout the season free of charge.

Single ticket buyers can exchange their tickets, subject to a $10 per ticket exchange fee. Requests must be received 24 hours prior to the performance. Requests to upgrade to a different price zone will be charged at the time of the exchange.

Become a Subscriber

If you’re unable to attend your performance or exchange to an alternate date, you can donate back your tickets and get a tax receipt in the full amount. We are happy to issue a tax receipt for any value over $20. Contact Audience and Donor Services at 416 (1 866) 345 9595.

Yes but for the sake of our dancers and other audience members, latecomers will be seated only during a suitable break in the performance, so please be sure to give yourself enough time to get to the theatre.

Ticket prices are all inclusive and include a $2.00 Creative Capital Fund fee, 13% HST, $4.50 for Capital Improvement Fund and a $0.25 digital fee.

We welcome children who are old enough to enjoy The National Ballet of Canada's performances, however some of our productions may not be enjoyable for young children.

A child is considered aged two to 13, however we recommend that ballet performances are not suitable for most children under five. Babes in arms, or children under two years of age will not be admitted to performances.

We encourage questions with regard to the suitability of a performance prior to purchasing a ticket for a child and our Audience and Donor Services staff would be happy to advise you. Please call us at 416 (1 866) 345 9595 or email info@national.ballet.ca.

All patrons, including children, must have a ticket to enter the theatre; children must be seated beside the accompanying adult.

A child must be able to sit quietly and not disrupt the performance and other patrons.

Out of respect to our artists and other audience members, re-entry to the auditorium during the performance is not permitted. Please remain in your seat until the intermission or the end of the performance. If you must leave the auditorium during the performance, you can watch the performance on the TV screen in the Richard Bradshaw Auditorium and return to your seat after the intermission.

Please be aware that, under the Ticket Sale Act, as of April 24, 2026, Ontario law prohibits tickets from being resold for more than the total price originally paid by the primary seller.

If you feel you have been mis-sold tickets for a National Ballet production, you can register a complaint with Consumer Protection Ontario here >

For the safety of our artists and the enjoyment of your fellow audience members, the capture of photographs and video during the performance is not permitted. However, you are welcome to take photographs of the curtain call.