Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare’s tragic, timeless tale of teenage love and bitter family feuds, has inspired countless adaptations, from West Side Story to elements of High School Musical. Director Victoria Evans has created an imaginative modern retelling of Shakespeare’s play, relocating the story to a contemporary boarding school while exploring themes of youth violence and the influence of social media.  

As the audience entered the auditorium, a series of projected news articles immediately established the ongoing rivalry between the Houses of Capulet and Montague reimagined as competing school houses in the style of Harry Potter. Capulets were represented in red and Montagues in blue, with headlines highlighting escalating tensions, school rivalry and the worrying rise of knife crime. The message was clear: – two houses, one school, no peace.  

I was fortunate enough to be invited to attend two performances back-to-back, allowing me to compare and contrast the casts’ individual interpretations of their role. 

The set was in the style of a school hallway featuring classroom doors and a higher-level balcony, providing plenty of opportunity for fluid movement for the cast and facilitated smooth and brisk entrances and exits. Large house banners hung on the wall and signs placed on the rear of doors identified locations such as the Head Teacher’s office and the Science Lab. There was lots of attention to detail including a trophy cabinet featuring a familiar award. 

The production opened with the full cast, dressed in school uniform, reciting a line from the Prologue directly to the audience setting the scene for tragic events to be recreated.  Costume (Katie Shaw) immediately established character. The Montagues, in neatly buttoned shirts, are smartly dressed, their blue striped ties firmly pulled up to the collar and glasses projected an image of studious, geeky upper-class pupils.  In contrast the Capulets embodied teenage rebellion with red striped loosened ties, the girls in short skirts and dyed red hair, the boys with prominent tattoos and chains around their waists. 

As in Shakespeare’s original tale, a fight breaks out in the hallway between the rival factions which quickly turns from banter to a more serious situation as a knife appears. A teacher, hearing the commotion promptly stops the escalating tensions and the perpetrators Gregory and Tybalt are sent to the Head Teacher’s Office. I particularly liked how the adaptation blended modern dialogue with Shakespearian verse. The adults spoke naturally while the students retained much of Shakespeare’s original language, which all the young performers handled impressively. 

As a last-ditch attempt to ease the spiralling situation, Mrs Lawrence, the Science Teacher (acting in the role of Friar Lawrence) suggests a social mixer so they can have some fun and hopefully stop the rivalry between the two houses. 

Another parallel to the play was the use of Juliet’s friends, Adriana, Octavia and Phoebe, representing the nurse who act as her confidants trying to convince her to go out with Paris a Capulet schoolboy. Romeo himself is dreaming about love and filling his notebook with romantic poetry about his vision of his perfect partner, and he is chided for his ‘imaginary girlfriend’ by his good friend Benvolio and by Mercutio who teases him mercilessly. 

Once at the dance, tensions quickly flared despite the teachers trying to broker peace, providing one of the production’s standout sequences. I loved the slick fight choreography as in slow motion knees were pushed into groins, chins were punched and stomachs pummelled set to a background of flashing red and blue lights and a pumping energetic soundtrack. 

I also loved the symbolism of Romeo and Juliet wearing white, emphasising their neutrality amid the conflict. Their first meeting, accompanied by ethereal music and slow-motion fighting to show the stillness when they finally see each other contrasted perfectly with the violence surrounding them. A very powerful scene which was executed well. 

The ensemble worked exceptionally throughout working seamlessly to create constant movement on stage. Whether divided by house to emphasise hostility, supporting Juliet’s body aloft or the Montagues circling the Capulets like wolves, they were the heart of the production reflecting the ever-changing moods and emotions as were also powerful visual story tellers. One powerful scene they held mobile phones on the darkened stage illuminating their faces showing the negative impact of social media. Another had them buffeting a grief-stricken, distraught Romeo as he headed towards the tomb.  I also liked the symbolism of exchanging ties at the walkdown representing the end to the rivalries and reconciliation and hope for the future. 

Good performances from everyone in a named role and performing alternatively in the ensemble. The Headteacher (Bethany T-D and William S) tried desperately to stop the escalating violence by exerting authority representing the ruling Prince of Verona from the play. Mrs Lawrence played by Isobel G and Isabel D was a sympathetic although misguided character and both girls played the part well recognising that Romeo and Juliet were the key to creating unity and lasting peace. 

Juliet’s friends worked well together Octavia (played by Alexia N-E and Bridget T) and Phoebe (Connie C and Kyla M) and Adriana was played by Alice S and Tilly G. Tilly  delivered an energetic and bubbly Adriana especially in her tirade against Romeo testing his loyalty to her and exactly what she would do to him if he hurt her. This contrasted well with her anger and disbelief against Juliet when she still showed she loved him despite murdering her cousin.  Alice presented a gentler more quietly supportive interpretation showing genuine concern for her friend throughout. 

Romeo’s friends also formed a strong group. Abraham, played by Xavier V and Rory D, launched confidently into the opening confrontation with the Capulets. Benvolio was played by Stevie S and Jennifer C-H. Stevie portrayed a loyal and dependable friend, while Jennifer’s wonderfully deadpan sarcasm and frustration with Romeo’s romantic daydreaming provided much of the humour.   Mercutio, played by Isaac P and Brodie S, both created memorable portrayals. Brodie’s entertaining delivery of the Queen Mab speech captured Mercutio’s playful energy perfectly, while both actors gave convincing and moving death scenes. 

Max I and Aidan H played the feisty Capulet Gregory well bantering with the Montagues and fiercely protective of Tybalt, their fight scene at the disco was excellent showing timing and reaction and they both created bolshy characters loyal to their house and prepared to fight to protect their reputation.  

Rhys E and Henri T both brought different strengths to Tybalt, Rhys portrayed him as confident, volatile and constantly on the edge of violence, a natural leader determined to defend his reputation. Henri adopted a more mischievous ‘to cool for school’ interpretation, charging through scenes like a human wrecking ball while remaining fiercely protective of his cousin Juliet. I especially liked his expression of anguish and horror after killing Mercutio making his murder even more poignant.  

Lucas H portrayed Romeo as an idealistic dreamer, more in love with the idea of love than love itself. His relationship with Daisy H’s Juliet was sweet and very believable and he delivered his lines with well confidence showing a range of emotions as events escalated to their final tragic conclusion.  His killing of Tybalt was well done showing his loyalty to his friend despite the consequences and his anguish at Juliet’s death was convincing and heartfelt.   

Finley Stott also gave an impressive performance as Romeo capturing the character’s frustration with the endless conflict once he had found his true love.  I especially liked the scene when he heard about Juliet’s death ripping up his beloved book of love poems oblivious to his surroundings.  This is Finley’s final performance with the group, and wishes to pursue his ambition of becoming director, and I wish him every success for the future. 

The ‘battle of the Daisies’ offered two equally engaging interpretations of Juliet. Daisy H created a gentle, vulnerable character, insecure and unsure of Romeo’s intentions needing constant reassurances. Her love was a slow burn gradually building as her trust was gained. My favourite scene was with Lucas as they glanced at each other, touched hands then withdrew, gradually building up to an embrace was beautifully performed by them both.  Daisy A presented as restless and weary of the endless rivalry until she meets and falls for Romeo. Her scene as she debated about whether to take the potion, together with her reaction on seeing Tybalt’s ghost was particularly effective. Both girls and delivered their Shakespearian dialogue with confidence.  

Music, sound effects (David Cox) and lighting (Cody McGinty) were used effectively and greatly enhanced the storytelling; I especially liked the school bell for some scene changes and the use of flashing lights at the disco and the white spotlight to create Juliet’s tomb. The use of mobile phones on a darkened stage created a striking image. 

Well done Victoria Evans for this creative take on a traditional classic joining Shakespearian dialogue with modern language to tell the story in a modern setting more relatable to your young cast, you should be justifiably proud of your performers. 

Thank you also to the dedicated team of chaperones, parents and back-stage volunteers together with Stage Manager Maxine Goldstone whose behind the scenes work ensured everything ran smoothly. 

It was a pleasure to talk to Victoria and several members of the cast after the performance, and I look forward to seeing what this NODA award winning group produces next.

 

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