The Chinese version of the French musical “Romeo et Juliette” based on Shakespeare’s play “Romeo and Juliet” will soon be staged in Shenzhen.

With music and lyrics by Gérard Presgurvic, the original French musical premiered in 2001 and has since entertained audience members throughout Europe and Asia. The production was directed and choreographed by Redha Benteifour, with costumes by Dominique Borg and settings by Petrika Ionesco.

The story is told in a light way to allow modern audience members to understand the classic. To express the hatred between the two families, the costumes and lighting are designed mainly in two powerful colors: The Montagues are seen in shades of blue and the Capulets in red.

The adaptation includes a different nature of the lovers’ deaths. New characters such as Death and the Poet appear for dramatic effect. Lady Capulet has a greatly increased role. The role of Tybalt has changed slightly from being purely dark to a more pitiful character because of his growing up with hatred and having had a dark childhood, as well as an unrequited attraction to Juliette.

The original French musical had been staged in China many times and audience members were stunned by its dazzling setting and catchy music. Composer Presgurvic added electronic, dance, rock and other elements of modern music to it.

The most anticipated young Chinese singer Ayanga will perform Romeo in the Jan. 14, Jan. 16 and Jan. 18 night shows, while in other shows Romeo will be played by Li Chenxi, Sun Shengkai and Zhou Mohan. Ayanga, a heartthrob singer from Inner Mongolia, graduated from the Beijing Dance Academy.

In different shows in Shenzhen, Juliette will be played by Zhang Huifang, Chen Yuting and Xu Yao.

Time: 8 p.m., Jan. 14-16, 18-23 (Jan. 15-16, 22-23 also at 2:30 p.m.)

Tickets: 280-1,080 yuan

Booking: WeChat account “SZpolytheatre”

Venue: Shenzhen Poly Theater, Nanshan District (南山区深圳保利剧院)

Metro: Line 2 or 11 to Houhai Station (后海站), Exit E

(SD News)