SHAKESPEARE'S classic tale of love, deception and ultimate death is coming to the Proserpine Entertainment Centre this Saturday night.

Melbourne City Ballet will present the production, which is sponsored by Arts Queensland.

Michael Pappalardo's rendition of the classical Shakespearean tale, Romeo and Juliet, is sure to captivate audiences just as it did when it was written in 1597.

Romeo and Juliet is Shakespeare's most famous and loved work and the Melbourne City Ballet brings the saga to life on stage for a new audience in Proserpine.

The performance tells the story of two lovers who must endure the strongest hate just to stay together.

The lovers were born into rival families, the Montagues and Capulets, in Verona, Italy.

When young Romeo and his entourage sneak into the Capulet Ball, the two lovers have a chance encounter, which leads to the purest of love.

The young couple keeps the relationship hidden, secretly marrying in hope of finding a future together.

The pair's fortune does not last long, with the death of Romeo's best friend Mercutio leading him to murder Juliet's cousin Tybalt in an angry rage.

Featuring a large cast of Melbourne City Ballet's finest artists, this stunning production is creating a new audience for a 500-year-old famous love story.

FORBIDDEN LOVE

•  What: Romeo and Juliet
•  Where: Proserpine Entertainment Centre
•  When: Saturday, July 16, 8pm
•  Cost: Adults $35, concession $32, kids under 15 $20
• Tickets: 4946 2312