Big screen ballet at Alnwick Castle

As part of the Royal Opera House BP Big Screen, a live screening of Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet will take place at Alnwick Castle, on June 11. Gates open at 5.30pm and the live performance starts at 7pm.

Free of charge to all, up to four tickets per person will be allocated, but these must be booked in advance only through the Alnwick Castle website www.alnwickcastle.com/events.

Local groups and societies with a particular interest in the arts, as well as schools, can access larger ticket allocations by getting in touch via email at [email protected] or by telephoning their request to 01665 511086.

This free event at Alnwick Castle is a great opportunity for students in Northumberland and elsewhere in the North East who are studying theatre, ballet, dance and drama to watch a stunning, live performance up close.

Kenneth MacMillan’s ballet of Romeo and Juliet at Alnwick Castle is one of a series of events carried out by Northumberland Estates in a bid to make the arts more accessible to the local community.

As the tickets are free, there will be a collection on the night for anyone who would like to donate to local charity, Hospice Care (North Northumberland).

Romeo and Juliet is a well known tragedy written by Shakespeare early in his career about two young, star-crossed lovers in Italy whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families. Hundreds of years later, the tale still has resonance for today and is one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays.

Kenneth MacMillan’s ballet adaptation of Romeo and Juliet has been widely acclaimed. The Guardian review gives it five stars and describes it as a “stunningly swoonsome study of wide-eyed love” and  “a youthful, passionate, enthralling Romeo and Juliet”.

David Hawke, head of Alnwick castle ventures said: “We are thrilled that Alnwick Castle has been chosen as one of the 24 sites across the UK to screen this astonishing and beautiful  performance from The Royal Opera House which will be offered at no charge to the audience. We are hoping as many people as possible will come along to the Castle and share in this wonderful experience.”

Alex Beard, chief executive of the Royal Opera House, commented: “The BP Big Screens are a much-loved highlight of the summer calendar across the UK, and I am delighted that we once again beam the best the Royal Opera House has to offer to an ever-wider audience.

“Over the years, our collaboration with BP has enabled more than half a million people to experience ballet and opera – many for the first time – and together we bring this summer highlight to people all over the UK.”