Dancers bring the ballet home

The two WA-born stars of Romeo and Juliet are excited about the rare chance to dance together in their home town this week.

Principal artists Kevin Jackson and Madeleine Eastoe, who play Shakespeare's doomed lovers, are among seven WA dancers in the Australian Ballet's new take by Graeme Murphy on the ballet.

The company performs seven shows at the Crown Theatre Perth from tomorrow to Sunday as part of its 50th birthday celebrations.

Eastoe missed its 2009 Perth tour because she was on maternity leave and last performed here as a junior corps de ballet member in The Merry Widow in 2000.

"As you climb up the ranks, coming home and doing a tour becomes a bit more important and special," she said.

Jackson said it was overwhelming to be performing Romeo to the Juliet of Eastoe, whose mother taught him ballet in Perth.

"Words cannot express the sense of pride I have bringing this production to my family, friends and greater community," he said.

Artistic director David McAllister, also from Perth, said the company had been eager to tour Australia in its golden jubilee year. "We want to bring the company back, hopefully biennially," he said.

The other WA dancers are Leanne Stojmenov, who will alternate as Juliet, and Imogen Chapman, Brodie James, Timothy Harford and Cameron Hunter.