Venue: Theatre Royal Winchester
Apart from a brief foray into Much ado about Nothing in 2011, I’m the first to admit that I would’t often voluntarily watch a Shakespeare play after GCSE English put me through the Shakespeare ringer. Adaptations have become dry and often simply boring.
Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory’s (SATTF) production of Romeo and Juliet surpassed all expectations and broke the mould. A modern adaptation of the Shakespeare tragedy provides the perfect mix of Shakespearian English and modern themes and staging.
Now whilst I am sure that one of the world’s most famous love stories needs no introduction plot-wise, for anyone wanting a refresher here goes. The Capulet’s and Montague’s have been rival and warring families for as long as they can remember and the idea of any union between members is simply unthinkable. At a party Romeo (Montgue) and Juliet (Capulet) have a chance meeting and fall head over heels in love. The next day they get married – something that would be near on unthinkable nowadays but that doesn’t seem strange in the slightest to the young lovers. On the same day Romeo has an encounter with Juliet’s cousin and kills him, leaving him exiled. Juliet is lined up by her father to marry Prince Paris and Juliet, devastated by the whole scenario, takes a potion to make her appear dead to her family. Romeo, who is supposed to be in on the whole plan, hears of the news of Juliet’s death and goes to track her down. Juliet awakes to find Romeo dead on her lap. Distraught at the prospect of living her life without her husband she kills herself for real this time. All in the space of a few days – totally romantic right?
The casting particularly of the young teenagers that the play centres around is superb. The beginning scenes between the boys are full of energy. Paapa Essiedu convincingly plays Romeo as the charming and energetic object of Juliet’s (Daisy Whalley) affection. Whalley’s Juliet grows in front of our very eyes transforming from a well behaved and innocent daughter into a passionate bride. Significant mention should also be made to Oliver Hoare and Callum McIntyre who exude the energy and ‘ladish’ behaviour of Mercutio and Benvollio. The cast is well rounded with the edition of Sally Oliver who shines as the nurse in on Juliet’s secret love affair with Romeo.
The production really is an all encompassing one. Polina Kalinina (Director) did a sterling job incorporating simplistic yet super effective set design and lighting into the production. The set is made up entirely of a circular mirror suspended above a playground roundabout (often doubling as a weapon) which gave an extra dimension and some depth to the performance. Kalinina’s well adapted the play from being shown in the round with her ambitious use of space. Sat at the back of the stalls, nearly every member of the cast was within touching distance at some point throughout the production using the entrances as theatre space. Sound and lighting are expertly used to create an atmosphere from the second you enter the theatre.
A play for all ages and something to definitely engage teenagers and to prove the relevance and worth of Shakespeare in today’s society. This has reignited my interest in Shakespeare and am looking forward to seeing another SATTF production.
Romeo and Juliet finishes its run at the Theatre Royal Winchester this Saturday before continuing the tour to Scarborough, Derby and Salisbury.
Review: https://criticalcharlotte.wordpress.com
Charlotte's Theatre Criticism 