Romeo and Juliet, the most famous tale of love at first sight, is at the Theatre Royal this week. A play full of intense passion, revenge, loyalty and, of course, true love. The Royal Shakespeare Company’s latest production aims to showcase a fresh new slant on the tale, in order to attract a new audience of Shakespeare appreciation in the younger generation, featuring gender reversed roles, a contemporary urban setting and a diverse cast delivering powerful, punchy performances.
The story of two star crossed teenage lovers who fall in love against the wishes of their warring families, is timeless. The bitter enemies, Montagues and Capulets, have inspired many musicals and films such as West Side Story and childrens hit Gnomeo and Juliet as well as plenty of remakes both in the theatre and film.
ORDER YOUR COPY OF GLASGOW & WEST COAST COOK BOOK WITH RECIPES FROM TOP RESTAURANTSWhile remaining true to the beauty of the Shakespearean script, the contemporary plot of RSCs production features a rock band, garage music and modern day trendy costumes – with no flowing gowns or decorative balconies in sight.
Director Erica Whyman remarked “ I knew I wanted to transpose it to a world as close to our own as possible. I wanted to illuminate its freshness so that young audiences, many of whom will be the same age as Romeo and Juliet, could recognise themselves”.
The set design by Tom Piper is stripped back with neutral colours and features only a rotating cube centre stage to signpost a scene change – which is a far cry from the typical portrayal of picturesque Verona .
While the staging is kept very simple, this merely allows a more focused spotlight on the characters with clever staging and choreographed moves to keep the audience hooked.
Indeed the true success of this production is the incredibly strong delivery of the actors who manage to give the Shakespearean script an energy and excitement that explodes onto the stage as soon as the lights dim and the show begins.
The electric chemistry between the pairing of Romeo (Bally Gill) and Juliet (Karen Fishwick) has the audience gripped from the moment they first lock eyes, building the drama and tension until the finale.
Gill channels a sexy brooding Romeo (reminiscent of the famous depiction by Leonardo Di Caprio in the early noughties) who is reckless and crazy in love however also has a geeky awkward side to his love scenes in the beginning which immediately endears him to the audience.
Fishwick is perfectly cast as a spunky and rebellious Juliet – perhaps the most liberated woman to feature in a Shakespearean play. This is most definitely not a fragile and innocent girl looking for her prince charming to offer her salvation.
Juliet in this production brings the original girl power – determined until the end, marrying Romeo in secret and continually defying her over bearing and heavy handed father, in order to be with her one true love.
Fishwick shines in the role and sensitively delivers an emotional performance in the second act as she struggles with her love of Romeo and her loyalty to her family which leads to her untimely death.
Special mention must also go to the delightful comedy performance delivered by Ishia Bennison as Nurse. The beautiful relationship between Nurse and Juliet was consistent throughout as she tries to protect Juliet and her happiness against her controlling parents. However it was her comic timing and bumbling manner while fussing over Juliet, that had the audience laughing throughout.
An innovative and engaging take on a traditional tale.
Romeo and Juliet runs until 23rd March