A stripped down, fast paced, 100 minute version of Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy, this is Romeo and Juliet turbo charged.
I took my teenage son along to see this, as he’s studying the play for GCSE, and I was not alone. There were a lot of young people in the audience, many, like my boy, new to the world of Shakespeare’s language and nuances. This has been billed as an introduction for anyone not familiar with the play and especially for students and teachers of English and Drama, and that is exactly what it is.
The set was stark with hints of opulence in the Capulet household, behind gauze curtains that doubled as a screen for projections from the Prince and news reports of crippling heat and fighting on the streets of Verona.
Photo Credit: Will Green Photography
No doublet and hose here either, traditional dress made way for jeans, combat trousers and t-shirts. This was accessible Shakespeare in both sights and sounds, with a young energetic cast full of life, dashing from place to place and part to part with some of the actors doubling up in roles. Ciaran Forde, Mae Munuo ( also associate director), Bethany O’Halloran and Benjamin Prudence make a fine ensemble of characters and racks of costumes positioned at the side of the stage, to enable quick changes, help to break down the barriers of formality, that sometimes put audiences off Shakespeare.
Photo Credit: Will Green Photography
The leads are terrific. Tom Casey as Romeo, is love sick and gentle, he conveys the angst of a young man’s passion as he swoons over a fiesty and impatient Juliet, played by Ophelia Charlesworth, who is ready to defy her father and stand up for the man she loves.
An hour and 40 minutes flew by in a whirl, as the intensity and feeling of oppressive heat build to the plays dramatic and tragic climax. Director Doug Rintoul has done a fantastic job in getting to the heart of the play and keeping the integrity of the text, yet making it pacey and modern for young audiences.
My son really enjoyed the production, and as his introduction to Shakespeare this was a great way to start. Even if you don’t have young adults doing their GCSEs, this is still a wonderful production to discover Shakespeare, or to reacquaint yourself with the beauty in his language and the skill of his storytelling.
Romeo and Juliet now moves to the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds from 13th – 17th February – tickets available online or call the box office on 01284 769505
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