SWORD fights, brawls, kissing and grisly deaths are not often associated with the prim and orderly art of ballet.

Sergei Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet is a welcome anomaly in the traditional genre; a powerful and heart-wrenching tale of two passionate lovers, told with an incomparable intensity and ardour.

The often dissonant and almost war-like melodies of Prokofiev are far removed from Tchaikovsky’s softer and fairytale inspired compositions in the Nutcracker or Sleeping beauty.

As for the choreography it is sharp, fierce at times, and very fitting to evoke the deep-rooted hatred between Verona’s sworn enemies, the Capulets and Montagues.

The chemistry between the Moscow City Ballet's leading duo Alevtina Lapshina and Talgat Kozhabayev is obvious and their fight to pursue a love affair doomed from the start is extremely poignant.

Alevtina Lapshina is a superb dancer but it is her acting skills which set her apart from the rest of the company. Her first encounter with Romeo, she is in turn shy—a mere child overwhelmed by unsettling feelings--and a playful temptress determined to seduce the young lothario.

The set, rich costumes and stunning use of lighting an already deserve due mention as they turned an already excellent production of Romeo and Juliet into an unforgettable one.

As the story takes a much darker turn following Romeo’s exile and the news of Juliet’s arranged marriage to Paris, darkness also descends upon the stage as the lights are dimmed.

During much of last act the dancers are bathed in a ghostly white light foreshadowing the couple’s ultimate demise.

Sublime and extremely moving, this ballet will enchant dance aficionados and novices alike.