LOVE, RIVALRY, AND PROKOFIEV: BALLET IRELAND’S NATIONAL TOUR OF ROMEO & JULIET

 

30 OCTOBER TO 19 DECEMBER 2026

 

“I can’t remember seeing a better Ballet Ireland production than this one… Shakespeare’s story goes to new heights…”

-MAIL ON SUNDAY

 

Ballet Ireland, in association with EY Ireland, presents Romeo & Juliet at 16 venues across the island of Ireland this autumn, including five performances at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin. Tour dates and venues are listed below.

Some stories never lose their hold on us. Shakespeare’s iconic tale of two young people who fall in love across a bitter family divide has been retold for more than four centuries, and Prokofiev’s celebrated score, from the deep rhythm of the Dance of the Knights to the soaring music of the balcony scene, remains one of the most thrilling in all of ballet.

Award-winning choreographer Morgann Runacre-Temple returns for her acclaimed production, re-setting Shakespeare’s tragic tale from medieval Verona to the classrooms of a modern-day high school and becomes a play within a play. The Chaplain at a school, divided by gangs and violence, brings a fight to a close. He, together with their form teacher, attempts to show the futility of such behavior by introducing the pupils to the play Romeo & Juliet, with the feuding Montague and Capulet families, and the story of the doomed love affair between the heirs of these two feuding peoples. Each pupil is assigned a character and the action ensues…

The result is a heart-stopping ballet with a dazzling combination of passion and hatred, comedy and high tragedy.

Runacre-Temple’s choreography is in high demand across Europe, and her recent credits include Stuttgart Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Scottish Ballet (whose Coppelia, created with Jessica Wright, won Best Classical Choreography at the 2023 Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards), and Paris Opera Ballet.

“To make the tale of Romeo and Juliet feel alive to a modern audience, to take away the swords, long dresses and the men in tights, the 400 years of re-tellings, was my ambition for this ballet. I wanted to dive straight into the catastrophic choices two teenagers make in order to be together just 24 hours after their first meeting. For me, Romeo and Juliet is about love but also fantasy, in our wildest dreams – what are we prepared to risk for the chance of true love, no matter how fleeting, or how high the stakes may be?”

-Morgann Runacre-Temple, Choreographer

 

“…Runacre-Temple taps into a zeitgeist so many other ballet companies desperately want to access right now, making relevant what is often seen as an elitist art form while still honouring its roots……Runacre-Temple gets it.”

-THE IRISH TIMES

CREATIVE TEAM

 

Choreography: Morgann Runacre-Temple

Music: Sergei Prokofiev (performances given by kind permission of Boosey & Hawkes Publishing Limited)

Stage Design: Eye-Catching Design

Lighting Design: Zia Bergin-Holly

Running time: approx. 2 hours, including a 20 minute interval. Recommended age: 8+

 

A CONTINUING PARTNERSHIP

 

For the sixth time, EY Ireland partners with Ballet Ireland on a national tour, helping the company reach further across the island. In 2026, audiences in 16 cities and towns will have the opportunity to experience a world-class production of Romeo & Juliet live on stage.

Anne Maher, Artistic Director, Ballet Ireland, said: “EY’s support has been invaluable in helping us bring dance to communities across Ireland. Theirs is a partnership measured in years rather than campaigns, and it reflects a genuine belief in the power of the arts to build connection and opportunity — one that has helped us to reach new audiences, nurture emerging talent and strengthen the cultural life of the island. With their support, we are delighted to be bringing Morgann’s beautifully crafted Romeo & Juliet to audiences throughout the country this autumn.”

Speaking about EY Ireland’s continuing support, Niamh O’Beirne, EY Ireland Partner and UK and Ireland Health Sector Lead, said: “Romeo & Juliet is one of the greatest love stories ever told, and there’s something special about seeing it brought to life through dance. EY Ireland is proud to once again support Ballet Ireland as this production travels to communities right across the island of Ireland, offering people the chance to see world class ballet on their own doorsteps. Backing work like this is part of how we invest in culture, curiosity and creativity, and support the next generation in discovering their love of the arts. We know it leaves a lasting impression on everyone who sees it.”

 

ROMEO & JULIET TOUR VENUE & DATES

 

Theatre at the Mill, Newtownabbey: Fri 30 and Sat 31 Oct 7:45pm

Millennium Forum, Derry: Tues 3 Nov 7:30pm

Town Hall Theatre, Galway: Fri 6 and Sat 7 Nov 8:00pm

Gaiety Theatre, Dublin: Wed 11 – Sat 14 Nov 7:30pm Nightly, 2:30pm Sat Mat

Hawk’s Well Theatre Sligo: Tues 17 Nov 7:30pm

Market Place Theatre, Armagh: Thurs 19 Nov 8:00pm

Ardhowen, Enniskillen: Sat 21 Nov 7:30pm

glór, Ennis: Tues 24 Nov 7:30pm

Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick: Thurs 26 Nov 7:30pm

National Opera House, Wexford: Sat 28 Nov 7:30pm

An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny: Tues 1 Dec 7:30pm

Draíocht, Blanchardstown: Fri 4 and Sat 5 Dec 7:30pm Nightly, 2:30pm Sat Mat

Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny: Wed 9 Dec 7:30pm

Siamsa Tíre, Tralee: Fri 11 and Sat 12 Dec 7:30pm

Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray: Tues 15 and Wed 16 Dec 7:30pm Nightly, 3:00pm Wed Mat

Solstice Arts Centre, Navan: Fri 18 and Sat 19 Dec 7:30pm

 

Images taken at EY Ireland’s new offices at Wilton Park.

BALLET IRELAND

Ballet Ireland is proud to be the driving force of innovative ballet and dance in Ireland. We reimagine ballet for a modern Irish audience, balancing deep respect for the art form with a passion for continuous renewal in how we commission, perform and engage. Established in 1998, Ballet Ireland presents both high-quality productions of well-known and loved full-length classics including reimagined versions, alongside newly commissioned bold contemporary works which inspire and resonate with audiences of today.

Ballet Ireland is proud to operate within the Arts Council’s Strategic Funding framework. This reflects an ongoing partnership and recognition of the organisation’s national significance.

For further media information: [email protected]