[On Stage] Juliet Role Seo Hee "So Happy When Balcony Pas de Deux"

ABT Principal Dancer Stars in 'Romeo and Juliet'
Performances at Seoul Arts Center Opera House Until the 12th
First Lead Role as Juliet at ABT 15 Years Ago

For Seohui, principal dancer of the American Ballet Theatre (ABT), 'Romeo and Juliet' holds a special meaning. This is because her debut as a lead at ABT was in 'Romeo and Juliet.' In July 2009, Seohui took the stage for the first time as the lead Juliet in 'Romeo and Juliet' performed at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. It was four years after she officially joined ABT in May 2005, having passed through the ABT Studio Company. Since that day, she has been known as the first Korean lead dancer at ABT. After being promoted to soloist in August 2010 and then to principal dancer in July 2012, her title was elevated to the first Asian principal dancer at ABT.

Seohui is returning to the stage of 'Romeo and Juliet.' It is a commemorative work for the 40th anniversary of the Universal Ballet, performed from the 10th to the 12th at the Opera Theater of the Seoul Arts Center.

Seo Hee, principal dancer of the American Ballet Theatre (ABT), USA, performing the role of Juliet in the Universal Ballet Company's 40th anniversary commemorative performance of "Romeo and Juliet"
[Photo by Universal Ballet Company]

At a press conference held on the 8th at the Universal Art Center in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Seohui said she likes the balcony pas de deux (duet) in Act 2 the most. It is the most important scene in Shakespeare’s original play where Romeo, who sneaks into Juliet’s house, confirms their feelings under the moonlight. For Seohui personally, it also brings back memories of her first lead role, making the emotions even more overwhelming.

"I love that moment when you forget everything and meet the person you love, as if escaping the mundane world. When I dance the balcony pas de deux, I truly feel happy."

Although she has performed in numerous 'Romeo and Juliet' productions since first playing Juliet at ABT 15 years ago, this is her first time performing 'Romeo and Juliet' in Korea. It is also her first performance in Korea in 11 years since 'Onegin' in 2013. The way she approaches the work now is very different from when she first performed 'Romeo and Juliet' 15 years ago.

"I think thin layers have accumulated over the 15 years of performing every year. In the past, I thought about sentences, but now I think about words. I believe that is how I can convey the emotions more intensely to the audience when acting. I think I have slowly gone through that process over 15 years."

Seohui also said, "When I first played Juliet 15 years ago, I thought I did well, but now the more I perform, the more questions I have about the role."

The 'Romeo and Juliet' by ABT and Universal Ballet is a work choreographed by British choreographer Kenneth MacMillan (1929?1992), which premiered on February 9, 1965, at the Royal Opera House in London, UK.

In Korea, the Royal Ballet from the UK first performed it at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in 1983 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Korea-UK diplomatic relations. Among domestic ballet companies, Universal Ballet premiered it in 2012. Universal Ballet performed 'Romeo and Juliet' for the second time in 2016 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, and this is their third performance.

Dancers performing the role of Juliet in the Universal Ballet's 40th anniversary production of "Romeo and Juliet." From the left: Kang Miseon, Seo Hee, Lee Yurim.
[Photo by Universal Ballet]

Moon Hoon-sook, director of Universal Ballet, explained the reason for performing 'Romeo and Juliet' after eight years, saying, "It is an overseas licensed work and such a large-scale production that it is difficult to perform frequently." She added, "We prepared the performance with a heart full of gratitude for the 40th anniversary of the company’s founding."

As it is a meaningful work commemorating the 40th anniversary, Universal Ballet’s representative principal dancer Kang Miseon will share the stage as Juliet alongside Seohui. Kang Miseon received the Benois de la Danse Best Female Dancer Award, known as the ballet world’s Academy Award, last year. Joining them as Juliet is Lee Yurim, who joined Universal Ballet last year after being a soloist at the Hungarian National Ballet.

ABT principal dancer Daniel Camargo will perform as Romeo alongside Seohui. Universal Ballet principal dancers Lee Hyunjun and Konstantin Novoselov will also perform as Romeo. Lee Hyunjun will partner with Kang Miseon, and Konstantin Novoselov will partner with Lee Yurim.