Romeo and Juliet Rock the Music of Radiohead in New WA Ballet Production

West Australian Ballet performs a new Shakespeare adaptation this fall. Radio & Juliet is the tragedy of the Bard's Romeo and Juliet scored with the music of English rock band Radiohead.

Choreographed by Edward Clug, our renowned star-crossed lovers will now meet their doom in a modern musical narrative. According to a press release from the award-winning ballet company, they haven't staged the "Exit Music" revival originated by Slovenia's Ballet Maribor in seven years:

"Romeo and Juliet, set during the 1930s, was last performed by the WA Ballet in 2009. Radio & Juliet will return after a season in 2013 which saw Shakespeare's classic set entirely to the music of Radiohead."

Perth's Sunday Times reported on the ballet's expertimental Shakespearian rework:

"Edward Clug's intricate yet robust choreography paired with the distinct sounds of Radiohead makes for an overt, introspective journey through the psyche of the modern day Juliet."

Attendees will witness beautiful ballet backed by Radiohead singer Thom Yorke now incanting along with the condemned couple's Hail Mary to escape their cruel fate, "before all hell breaks loose."

As previously reported at our sister site Classicalite, Radiohead released their new album A Moon Shaped Pool in May, their first LP in five years. The event was preceded by a social media blackout from the band, purposely shrouding the release by the group who contributed their spooky "Talk Show Host" to Baz Luhrmann's '90s gangsta-Shakespeare film, Romeo + Juliet.

Radio & Juliet also features dancer Youri Vámos with his rendition of the Shakespearean love story backed by Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev's instrumentation of yore.

Radio & Juliet runs Sept. 9-24 at His Majesty's Theatre, Perth. For more information and tickets, see ptt.wa.gov.au. For information on transportation to Australia, please see your local travel agent.

Below, watch Radiohead's video for the song "Karma Police" from their 1997 album, OK Computer:

We want to hear from you. Let us know your favorite Radiohead song in the comments section below.

TagsRadio & Juliet, West Australian Ballet, Radiohead, A Moon Shaped Pool, Karma Police, Edward Clug