BASED on the play by William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet is one of the most popular ballets in the world.

However, its creation was difficult.

Originally commissioned by the Leningrad Kirov Ballet in 1934 Sergei Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet did not premiere at the Kirov stage until 1940 and at the Bolshoi until 1946, after both companies initially refused it. In 1978, Yuri Grigorovich revived Prokofiev’s production for the Paris Opera, which opened later at the Bolshoi Theatre in 1979.

Bolshoi – Romeo and Juliet (live) is a revival of this first production. It premiered on April 21, 2010 at the Bolshoi Theatre.

In this version Shakespeare’s tragedy has become extremely abstract.

Grigorovich developed the main character from his personal memories of Natalia Bessmertnova, his very first Juliet from the 1970s and main inspiration.

Watch the ballet at Southampton’s Harbour Lights on Sunday at 4pm.

Visit picturehouses.co.uk n French film The Hedgehog (Le Herisson) is a moving story about love, life and the beauty of unexpected friendships. Paloma is a serious and highly articulate, but deeply bored 11-year-old who has decided to kill herself on her 12th birthday.

Fascinated by art and philosophy, she questions and documents her life and immediate circle, drawing trenchant and often hilarious observations on the world around her.

But as her appointment with death approaches, Paloma finally meets some kindred spirits in her building’s grumpy janitor and an enigmatic elegant neighbour, both of whom inspire Paloma to question her pessimistic outlook on life.

Watch the film at The Phoenix, Union Films Cinema, at Southampton University Students Union on Wednesday from 7.30pm.