Endless love: Romeo and Juliet through the years

Though their union ends in tragedy, Romeo and Juliet have become unforgettable icons of love, passion and romance. Since William Shakespeare created these characters, they have lived on centuries hence as their story has been interpreted not just in plays, but also in films, books, music, paintings and dance. Ballet Manila has staged different versions of Romeo and Juliet, from full-length to condensed choreographies. As part of Valentine month, we present some of the company’s dancers who have portrayed Romeo and Juliet, their photographs paired with lines from Shakespeare’s enduring masterpiece.

My only love sprung from my only hate!

Too early seen unknown, and known too late!

Prodigious birth of love it is to me,

That I must love a loathed enemy.

Juliet (Act 1, Scene 5)

Eline Damian and Eduardo Espejo (2001)

Photo by Ocs Alvarez

But soft! what light through yonder window breaks?

It is the east, and Juliet is the sun!—

Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,

Who is already sick and pale with grief,

That thou her maid art far more fair than she.

Romeo (Act 2, Scene 2)

Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and Osias Barroso (2004)

Photo by Ocs Alvarez

O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?

Deny thy father and refuse thy name.

Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,

And I’ll no longer be a Capulet

Juliet (Act 2, Scene 2)

Mylene Aggabao and Lemuel Capa (2007)

Photo by Ocs Alvarez

O, swear not by the moon, th’ inconstant moon,

That monthly changes in her circle orb,

Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.

Juliet (Act 2, Scene 2)

Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and Rudy De Dios (2013)

Photo by Jojo Mamangun

Give me my Romeo; and, when he shall die,

Take him and cut him out in little stars,

And he will make the face of heaven so fine

That all the world will be in love with night

And pay no worship to the garish sun.

Juliet (Act 3, Scene 2)

Katherine Barkman and Rudy De Dios (2015)

Photo by Ocs Alvarez

This is thy sheath; there rest, and let me die.

Juliet (Act 5, Scene 3)

Abigail Oliveiro and Brian Williamson (2015)

Photo by Ocs Alvarez

A glooming peace this morning with it brings;

The sun for sorrow will not show his head.

Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things;

Some shall be pardon’d, and some punished;

For never was a story of more woe

Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.

Prince (Act 5, Scene 3)

Joan Emery Sia and Elpidio Magat Jr. (2015)

Photo by Ocs Alvarez