Whats On has news of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo coming to Dubai to perform Romeo et Juliette at Souk Madinat. Plus, ballet events in Dubai.

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Wherefore art thou Romeo?” Right here in Dubai, it turns out, as Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo brings one of Shakespeare’s best-loved tales to life at the Madinat Arena from January 15 to 16. French choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot (scroll above) is the artistic director behind Romeo et Juliette, a ballet he says is inspired by the “drama” of adolescent love.

It’s a debut trip to Dubai for the company, made up of more than 40 dancers of 26 different nationalities. Maillot has masterminded 70 new works for Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo since becoming artistic director 20 years ago. With this trip to the UAE, Dubai’s ballet fans can look forward to a minimalistic re-telling of Romeo And Juliet. The set may be abstract – don’t expect to see Juliet’s famous balcony – but the romance and tragedy of this timeless tale is as powerful as ever.

January 15 to 16
Madinat Arena, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, 8.30pm, Dhs195. Tel: (04) 3666546. Taxi: Madinat Arena. balletsdemontecarlo.com. balletsdemontecarlo.com

Meanwhile, The Paris Opera Ballet had such a good time in the UAE last January that they’re coming back this year from January 8-10. The world famous company, which last year celebrated its 300th birthday, returns to the Madinat Theatre in January, to perform a series of ballet galas.

They’ll be led by their star man Karl Paquette. A veteran at 38, the Frenchman is the company’s . If you’re unfamiliar with ballet lingo let’s put it this way: in a team of superstars, Paquette is the Ronaldo.

He received the prestigious Etoile accolade in 2009 after joining the Paris Opera Ballet aged ten. Paquette will dance with fellow Etoile dancer Ludmila Pagliero (above). “I still love dancing and that is what allows me to perform so much all over the world,” says Paquette. “Without passion, ballet is too hard.”

Artists of this calibre need a world-class venue in which to perform and the Dubai Opera House – opening in Downtown in 2015 – can’t come soon enough. “In France, we talk more and more about the Emirates,” says Paquette. “We know something big is going to happen here, but it takes time.”

The Paris Opera Ballet

January 8 to 10
Madinat Theatre, Souk Madinat, Dubai, Thur 8pm, Fri 2.30pm and 8pm, Sat 5.30pm. Tel: (04) 3666546. Taxi: Souk Madinat. madinattheatre.com