chaikovsky in Love is adapted from the ballet sequence in Ian Woodward’s full-length film Love Song: The Triumph and Tragedy of Tchaikovsky, recipient of many awards worldwide, with screenings from Hollywood to Salzburg. Based on ground-breaking research by English filmmaker Ian Woodward, the dance-drama reveals for the first time that Tchaikovsky’s popular Romeo and Juliet Love Theme is not about a teenage boy and girl in love…not even about a girl.

Filmed in Russia and England, the dance sequence features Serbian National Ballet charismatic soloist Lloyd Petchey as Imperial Russia’s tormented composer and, as his pupil, the young dancer Rowan Shone who has starred with the English National Ballet in their London production of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.

Set to the music of the famous Love Theme, the sequence is choreographed especially for the film by Yat-Sen Chang, former leading dancer with the English National Ballet.

“This is a very ambitious production. The dance episode is especially well done. The sequence of icicles over water is a stunning way to close the film. – BIAFF, UK

“The filmmaker has done a fine job of evoking the historical period of Tsarist Russia. Some

of the scenes , not least when Tchaikovsky confronts his lover’s family after his death, are really heart-wrenching. –  HIGHWAY 61 FILM FESTIVAL, MINNESOTA, UNITED STATES

Below:

From the web page of The Near Nazareth International Film Festival

– Vimeo facility for Tchaikovsky in Love:

Above (top left): Young ballet dancer Rowan Shone waiting to be made up and have his hair lightened for the dance role of Eduard Zak

Above (bottom): 3^rd assistant director Jade Montoute, Serbian National Ballet soloist Lloyd Petchey having his beard applied by hair & make-up artist Ann-Marie Mays for the dance role of Tchaikovsky

Below L to R): Jade Montoute, Ann-Marie Mays and Rowan Shone