With its key themes of teen sex and suicide, it would be hard to get this one past the censors these days. But our star-crossed lovers will not be denied – Shakespeare's great tragedy returns to Christchurch in May with the Royal New Zealand Ballet's passionate re-telling of Romeo and Juliet.

The ballet was first seen onstage in 2017, when the mesmerising choreography by Andrea Schermoly (Stand to Reason, Within Without) and the sets and costumes by Academy Award-winning designer James Acheson (The Last Emperor, Dangerous Liaisons) wowed audiences at every stop.

We know the story. Set amid the splendour and seduction of Renaissance Verona, two families are at war. Our lovers reach across the battle lines, with tragic results.

This production captures the colour and vitality of the marketplace in which bawdy laughter turns to horror in the blink of an eye, the grandeur of the Capulet palazzo in which love blooms, and the intimacy of balcony, bedroom and tomb. All swept up in Prokofiev's exhilarating, sensuous score.

Royal New Zealand Ballet, Romeo and Juliet, 25 – 27 May, Isaac Theatre Royal

rnzb.org.nz