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The ballet Romeo & Juliet remiered on February 9, 1965 at the Royal Opera House in London
ACT I
Scene 1
The marketplace in Verona, Italy
As the townspeople gather in the market place, Romeo of the Montague family is trying to win the affections of Rosaline. She repeatedly brushes him off. A quarrel later ensues between Tybalt, a Capulet, and Romeo. The Capulets and Montagues, who have been enemies for generations, begin to fight. The fight is stopped by the Prince of Verona.
Scene 2
Juliet's anteroom
Juliet is playing with her nurse in her bedroom when her parents, Lord and Lady Capulet, enter. They introduce her to Paris, a wealthy nobleman whom she is expected to marry.
Scene 3
Outside the Capulets' house
The Capulets are having a ball at their house. Romeo, Mercutio and Benvolio, disguised in masks, plan to join the party in order to see Rosaline.
Scene 4
The ballroom
Upon arriving at the ball, Romeo sees Juliet and is instantly captivated. Mercutio tries to distract Romeo’s attention away from Juliet. Tybalt recognizes Romeo at the ball and orders him to leave. But Lord Capulet, fearing chaos in his house, welcomes Romeo as a guest.
Scene 6
Juliet's balcony
Romeo slips into the Capulets’ garden with the hope of catching a glimpse of Juliet. She appears at her balcony. The two confess their love for each other.
ACT II
Scene 1
The market place
As revelers celebrate a wedding in the square, Romeo thinks of Juliet. Juliet's nurse gives Romeo a letter. The letter reads that Juliet has agreed to be his wife.
Scene 2
The chapel
The Friar secretly marries the lovers hoping that their union will end the feud between their two families.
Scene 3
The market place
Tybalt and Mercutio engage in a fight, which leaves Mercutio dead. Romeo, in turn, kills Tybalt in revenge and flees for fear of reprisal from Tybalt’s family.
ACT III
Scene 1
Juliet’s bedroom
Romeo spends his first and only night with his new bride. At dawn, as the household begins to awaken, he quickly leaves. Juliet’s parents enter with Paris whom she refuses to marry. Her refusal angers her father.
Scene 2
The chapel
Juliet seeks out the Friar for help. He gives her a vial of potion, which will make her fall into a deep sleep. Everyone will believe she is dead. The Friar will then send a message to Romeo to return and escape with her.
Scene 3
Juliet’s bedroom
Juliet tells her parents that she will marry Paris. When she is alone, she drinks the potion. The next morning her parents find her and believe she is dead.
Scene 4
The Capulet crypt
Romeo returns after hearing of Juliet's death. He has not yet received the Friar’s message and does not know that she is only sleeping. He finds Paris keeping vigil by Juliet's body and kills him. Mourning the loss of Juliet, he drinks poison and dies. Juliet awakens to find Romeo dead by her side. She grabs the knife used to kill Paris and stabs herself.
