ACT I

Verona. The two ruling families - the Montagues and the Capulets - are caught in an ancient, bloody feud.

Morning in Verona. The young Romeo wanders the streets aimlessly, lost in daydreams about love. The city awakes and the first townspeople begin their day. From the houses of the Montagues and the Capulets come Tybault, Benvolio, Mercutio and their servants, looking for a fight. A clash erupts, with fatal losses on both sides. The age-old conflict refuses to die.

Juliet's room. Juliet taunts her Nurse. Dame Capulet, Juliet's mother, bids her to calm herself for she is to become a bride - the distinguished young gentleman Paris has asked for her hand in marriage. The Veronan elite is heading to a ball at the house of Capulet. Mercutio, Benvolio and Romeo decide to don masks and infiltrate their foe's party.

The ballroom of the house of Capulet. The guests urge Juliet to dance. Romeo enters and is hypnotised by the girl. Mercutio entertains the guests, while Romeo uses the diversion to declare his love to Juliet. Juliet is struck by the youth's poise and beauty. Tybault recognises Romeo but is unable to prevent his escape. After the guests have left, the Nurse discloses to Juliet that Romeo is Montague, but nothing can dissuade the young girl's feelings.

That night the young lovers meet secretly in the garden.

ACT II

Juliet begs her Nurse to deliver to Romeo a letter. Seeking Romeo, the Nurse gets lost in the crowd of a carnival. Finally she finds him and gives him the letter, in which Juliet agrees to become his wife.
The lovers meet in Father Lorenzo's chamber, and he unites the lovers in holy matrimony.

A carnival in the streets of Verona. Among the crowd is Tybault, and Romeo's compatriots Mercutio and Benvolio. Seeing Mercutio, Tybault begins an argument. Arriving on the scene, Romeo tries to quell the fight. He removes Mercutio of his sword, to prevent bloodshed, but during the scuffle Tybault deals Mercutio a fatal blow. Mercutio bravely attempts to hide his pain with humour, but he loses the battle and falls dead.

In a fit of rage, Romeo engages Tybault and slays him. From the house of Capulet comes Juliet's mother, swearing revenge on Tybault's murderer.

ACT III

Juliet's chamber. Romeo has come to spend one last night with his beloved. He nust flee to Mantua, to escape the death warrant placed on his head. As dawn breaks the lovers part.

That morning, Juliet's parents announce her betrothal to Paris. Deaf to Juliet's pleas, the Capulet's will is steadfast.

Juliet runs to Father Lorenzo, begging for his help. He prepares for her a potion that, once consumed, will cause Juliet to fall into a deep, deathlike sleep. Only Romeo shall know the truth. He will come to her in the tomb and awaken her. Juliet agrees to Lorenzo's plan.

Returning home, Juliet agrees to marry Paris, but once alone she drinks the potion. In the morning her maids arrive to prepare Juliet for the wedding and discover her lifeless body.

News of Juliet's death reach Mantua. Lorenzo is unable to get to Romeo with the details of the plan in time. Romeo, stricken with grief, rushes back to Verona.

Juliet's funeral. The casket with her body is placed in the Capulet family vault. The mourners leave.

Night. Romeo appears. Ina state of dispair, Romeo drinks poison. As he dies, Juliet awakes. Seeing the dead Romeo she realises their plan's failure and takes her own life with his dagger.
The world has never known a more tragic tale...