Baz Luhrmann’s landmark 1996 film “Romeo + Juliet” is returning to the big screen in a new live-to-film concert experience Down Under.
Announced by DAINTY and GEA Live in collaboration with Disney Concerts and Baz Luhrmann, the world premiere of “William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet Film in Concert” will take over Sydney Opera House on September 29th, marking 30 years since the director’s modern retelling of Shakespeare’s tragedy first captivated audiences.
The production will screen the full film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes, on a cinema-sized screen while a 12-piece hybrid ensemble will perform the score and soundtrack live in sync with the action. The live experience will also extend beyond the screen, with the venue transformed using visual elements inspired by Verona Beach, including Montague and Capulet banners, neon crosses, candles, flowers, red drapes and an altar-style DJ booth.
The Sydney Opera House performance is currently the only announced date, with global touring plans to be revealed at a later stage. Tickets will go on sale at 10am on July 6th, following a presale from 10am on July 3rd. All times are AEST. Sign up for presale here.
The event also marks a homecoming of sorts for the Australian filmmaker, whose long association with the Sydney Opera House includes his acclaimed 1990 Opera Australia production of “La Bohème,” created alongside longtime collaborator and wife Catherine Martin.
“Bringing this theatrical expression of ‘Romeo + Juliet’ the film to the Sydney Opera House is deeply personal as it was Catherine Martin and my creative home in the beginning of our journey,” Luhrmann said.
“I couldn’t think of a better way of celebrating the thirty years that this film has managed to continue to touch audiences, of every generation, than by doing something special in the iconic creative home, the Sydney Opera House.”
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Floris Douwes, Producer and Managing Director at GEA Live, added: “‘Romeo + Juliet’ has always lived somewhere between cinema, theatre, music video, and fever dream, which makes it a perfect title for the in-concert format. To launch this production at Sydney Opera House with Baz Luhrmann’s support is a huge occasion for the film 30 years later. Hearing it performed live adds a new charge from beginning to end.”
Originally released on November 1st, 1996, and opening No. 1 at the US box office, “Romeo + Juliet” became one of Luhrmann’s signature works, transforming Shakespeare’s tragedy into a maximal, MTV-era pop opera that still feels timely three decades later. Its soundtrack – featuring tracks by Des’ree, The Cardigans, Radiohead, Garbage, Quindon Tarver, Kym Mazelle and The Wannadies – remains one of the most celebrated film soundtracks of the decade.
For complete show and ticket information, see here.
‘WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S ROMEO + JULIET FILM IN CONCERT’ 2026
Tuesday, September 29th
Sydney Opera House, Sydney NSW