Love will be the theme once again when the prestigious Birmingham Royal Ballet visits Shanghai in January as part of its premiere tour to China.

The fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast" and famous tragedy "Romeo and Juliet" are certain to draw both tears and laughter when they are performed at the Shanghai Grand Theater from January 21 to 24. The tour is being sponsored by Artistry of Amway (China).

Most people know the "Beauty and the Beast" fable. David Bintley, the artistic director for Birmingham Royal Ballet as well as choreographer of the play, starts the story this time with a book in a library.

While dealing with the power of love, Bintley's version also examines how we see animals and human beings.

A handsome prince out hunting, displays cruelty and arrogance -- highlighted as human faults -- and is transformed into a hideous beast as punishment after wantonly killing animals.

Once he becomes the beast, he must alter his character if he is to earn the true love that will break the spell.

A young girl named Belle is sent to live with the terrifying beast as penance for her father's theft of a rose from the creature's garden.

Dragged from her home and denied access to her family, she is forced to grow up quickly and confront the terrifying beast alone.

Over time, she comes to see past his appearance and fall in love with the person he is underneath.

Bintley trained at the Royal Ballet School in London and saw famous dancers such as Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev in action and witnessed famed choreographers Frederick Ashton and Kenneth MacMillan create some of their masterworks.

Bintley joined Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet (now Birmingham Royal Ballet) in 1976 and quickly proved an outstanding character dancer. His great works include the full length "Hobson's Choice," "Flowers of the Forest," "The Snow Queen" and "Cyrano."

He was appointed artistic director in 1995. "Beauty and the Beast" is one of his masterpieces which premiered in 2003.

Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" which portrays a pure, intense love of two youths, continues to capture the hearts of people even today.

The Birmingham Royal Ballet will tell the story again to Shanghai audiences based on the three-act version by MacMillan.

"The story of 'Romeo and Juliet' has been told hundreds of times, including various ballet versions," says Christopher Barron, president of the Birmingham Royal Ballet.

"But the version by MacMillian which we will present this time is the most classic and pure version of the story."

Though we see MacMillan's Juliet in old Verona, she is in so many ways a modern girl in love. She is dominant and strong-willed whereas the women of her time were traditionally subservient.

According to Barron, to ensure the best presentation, the company will send eight containers of costumes and property for the two productions.

The British Royal Ballet Orchestra will accompany the troupe.

Date: January 21-24

Venue: Shanghai Grand Theater, 300 People's Ave

(Shanghai Daily September 23, 2008)