Romeo and Juliet ballet to grace Chilliwack stage on Valentine’s Day

Ballet Jörgen returns to the Chilliwack Cultural Centre with a timeless tale of love, anguish and revenge.

Shakespeare’s classic romantic tale Romeo & Juliet will turn the stage into a visual delight on Valentine’s Day.

Focusing on creating a clear and emotionally driven journey into this well-loved tale, artistic director Bengt Jörgen has kept true to the original story and has created a work that highlights the intimacy and warmth of Romeo & Juliet.

“Our story of love begins with the smell of a rose and the prick of a thorn,” Jörgen said. “The journey as two lovers unite and a mother defies — in the end, it’s a story that is more pure than dark.”

Those who experienced the performances of Swan Lake, Anastasia, and Coppélia at the Cultural Centre know that no other company captures the atmosphere of Valentine’s Day better than Ballet Jörgen, whose tenderness, vitality, and humour add something new to even the most familiar of tales. Romeo & Juliet offers an intriguing and engaging perspective on this story of love and innocence and shows the audience why it has won international recognition and critical acclaim.

Ballet Jörgen has been a staple contribution to the Canadian arts community since its creation in 1987. The organization now produces more than 120 performances a year. Based in Toronto, Ballet Jörgen provides ballet training in elementary schools in partnership with George Brown College.

Romeo & Juliet is coming to the Chilliwack Cultural Centre on Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 for adults, $42 for seniors and $40 for youth, and can be purchased at the Centre Box Office, online at www.chilliwackculturalcentre.ca, or by calling 604-391-SHOW(7469).

Photography workshop: On the day of the show, the dancers of Ballet Jörgen and local photographer Vicki Legere will demonstrate how to capture the beauty of the human body in People in Motion Photography. This workshop runs from 1:15 to 5:15 p.m. on Feb. 14. The cost for this workshop is $41. Contact the Centre Box office at 604-391-SHOW(7469) to register.

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