An epic love story set in 1960s Hong Kong
Ancient grudges between triad families. Passion and tragedy. The iconic balcony scene. Experience the thrill of first love, the drama and heartbreak of warring families in 1960s Hong Kong! Shakespeare’s timeless tale of star-crossed lovers is given a fresh and thought-provoking retelling in Septime Webre’s lush Romeo + Juliet. Juliet’s father is an unrelenting Shanghainese tycoon who is determined to marry his only daughter off to a wealthy gweilo, not knowing that Juliet has already given her heart to the only son of his greatest enemy.

Accompanied by Prokofiev’s celebrated score, an emotional and colourful tale of young love and loss in retro Hong Kong is vividly brought to life with captivating dancing, lively mahjong games and glamorous cheongsams. Webre’s original choreography seamlessly incorporates intense street battles with traditional Hong Kong-style kung fu against visually authentic sets inspired by old Hong Kong’s cityscape. Romeo + Juliet was in high demand during its US tour to New York and North Carolina in 2023, receiving enthusiastic public and critical acclaim. This brilliantly imagined adaptation is especially relevant for contemporary audiences as it fuses dance and drama against a backdrop of a world in flux. This September, Romeo + Juliet will be performed as the opening programme of Hong Kong Week 2025@Seoul at The National Theater of Korea.

Dancers (from left): Ye Feifei, Ryo Kato | Creative: Katherine Ho | Photography: Issac Lam | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet