Queensland Ballet snags the Australian premiere of Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet as part of its 2014 season.

Queensland Ballet has today announced its 2014 season, set to feature a slew of exciting international choreographers, artists and designers.

“This season has much bolder ambition,” Artistic Director Li Cunxin said. “It’s definitely another huge step of making this company great.”

The season’s showpiece is a lavish production of Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo & Juliet, featuring the talents of international ballet stars Steven McRae and Carlos Acosta sharing the role of Romeo, and Tamara Rojo playing Juliet.

“It is an incredible coup for Queensland to secure this exclusive production,” Cunxin said. “It will really place Queensland Ballet on the global stage.”

Other highlights of the 2014 season include the world premiere production of Greg Horsman’s Coppélia in April, a ballet about a lifelike doll and two jealous lovers set in South Australia. In a repeat of 2013 end-of-year plans, Ben Stevenson’s The Nutcracker will return to the Opera Queensland stage in December.

New dance works from upcoming choreographers will also be on show in Dance Dialogues, a series of performances celebrating young Australian talent.

The company will continue its commitment to catering to regional audiences, conducting a...