NBC to show Cranko's Romeo and Juliet in homage

Stuttgart Ballet's principal dancer Friedemann Vogel will perform Romeo with NBC's ballerina Wang Qimin as Juliet in Beijing. [Photo by Wang Chongwei/China Daily]

Chinese dancers are open and not afraid to show their emotions, he says.

"It's very important for ballet because we cannot use words. We can only express our emotions through our bodies."

In Wang's eyes, Vogel is "perfect" as Romeo－"handsome, passionate and devoted to love".

"He is a good friend and dance partner. As a guest and star dancer, he works very hard every time he is with us. Ten years ago, he was a bit shy. This time, he is more talkative."

Born in Stuttgart, Germany, Vogel started to dance at the age of 4 influenced by his brother who is 12 years older and now also a professional dancer.

"I saw him dancing and found myself wanting to do it too. My parents were a little worried then because they knew how hard it was. I tried ice skating, I did not like it. I tried the piano. It was OK, but it still felt a little boring tome."