Romeo and Juliet

Mixing the aesthetic allure of contemporary dance steeped in classical ballet technique, Dutch National Ballet's resident choreographer, Krzysztof Pastor translates Shakespeare's most famous tale for a dance audience with the support of esteemed Dramaturge Willem Bruls.  

Set to the dramatic, and colourful Prokofiev score - played live by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra and with special rearrangement by kind permission of the Prokofiev estate - Pastor's Romeo and Juliet is a timeless reinterpretation in both the literal and narrative sense. 

Told through the era of twentieth century Italy, the story intertwines with projected footage and features designs washed in striking black and white through to sepia concluding with the introduction of imposing colour strands. 

The issues that pervade this archetypal love story resonate in time and place, and while the characters of Romeo and Juliet remain cultural icons that remind us that society creates challenges that are not the sole propriety of a single time or generation, this brand new production is as synonymous for a contemporary audience as those watching the original Shakespearian performances.

Romeo and Juliet is being performed from Tues 13 - Sat 17 May at Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 13-29 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh EH8 9FT. 7.30pm & 2pm. Adm: £9.50 - £34.50; family Tickets: £70 & £80 (plus bkg fee). Info: 0131 529 6000; (Wed 21- 24 May) at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen, Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen AB25 1GL.  7.30pm, mat 2pm. Adm: £11.50 - £27.50 (plus bkg fee). Info: 01224 641122; (Wed 28 -31 May) at Eden Court, Inverness, Reay House, Old Edinburgh Road, Inverness, IV3 3HF 7.30pm, mat 2pm.Adm: £11- £26. Info: 01463 234 234; (Wed 4 - 7 June) at Theatre Royal, Glasgow, 282 Hope Street, Glasgow G2 3QA. 7.30pm, mat 2pm. Adm: £6.50 - £33.50. Info: 0870 060 6647.

By Belinda Raye

Jane Eyre

Is there anyone above the age of fifteen who has never read Jane Eyre? This is Charlotte Brontë's masterpiece, first published in 1848, one of the most loved of British novels and one of the most adapted for television. Now, leading children's dance company London Children's Ballet is taking it to the stage.

This adaptation focuses on the early part of Jane's story when, as a young orphan, she is brought up by her unkind aunt and haughty, bullying cousins. The story follows Jane's journey to the grim charity school Lowood, where conditions are so harsh that Jane's best friend, Helen Burns, dies of consumption. The scenario focuses on the joy friendship can bring, especially to a child whose life is desolate with little hope.

Grown up, Jane becomes a governess at Thornfield Manor to a sweetly-spoilt French girl, Adèle Varens, the ward of the mysterious Mr Rochester. At this time, Rochester is wooing the imperious Blanche Ingram, who has her eye set on him and his wealth. However, Rochester is drawn to Jane's quirky intellect and quiet peacefulness and proposes to her.

On the eve of their wedding day, the secret of Bertha, his first, mad wife emerges. She has been locked in a room in the house the entire time. Heartbroken and penniless Jane flees, but then Bertha escapes, goes crazy and sets the mansion on fire.

Will Rochester and Adele survive? Will Jane come back once she hears of the tragedy?

Leading children's dance company London Children's Ballet will be performing Jane Eyre at the Peacock Theatre from Thursday 15 May to Sunday 18 May 2008.

The show stars fifty-four talented young dancers aged nine to fifteen, who were selected from 600 audition candidates last November. Anyone interested in London's youngest talent should see these children perform in this glorious stage show.

Jane Eyre is being staged from 15-18 May 2008 at the Peacock Theatre, London, WC2. 7.30pm, mats 2pm and 5.30pm. Adm: £14-£50. Info: 0870 737 0337 / www.sadlerswells.com.

Photo: Peter Teigen

Thurs 15 - 18 May
JANE EYRE
Adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's classic Jane Eyre will thrill boys and girls of all ages. The ballet opens with the forgotten chapter of the young Jane living with her cruel Aunt who banishes her to a bleak life at Lowood Charity School where she stays until her appointment of governess at Thornfield Hall. There Jane finds a world of parties, Mr Rochester and a web of mystery leading to the fateful night of the great fire. Venue: Peacock Theatre, London. Adm: £14. Info: 0844 412 4322.

Wed 11 - 14 Jun
BAHOK
bahok, named after a Bengali word meaning "carrier", explores the ways in which the body carries national identity and a sense of belonging. This show represents the eagerly anticipated collaboration between Akram Khan and the National Ballet of China. After creating intimate duets with Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui (zero degrees) and Sylvie Guillem (Sacred Monsters), Akram Khan now works with five performers from his own kathak-contemporary dance company and four classically trained dancers from the National Ballet of China. Venue: Lilian Baylis Theatre, London. Adm: £10 - £35. Info: 0844 412 4300 / www.sadlerswells.com