★★★★★
Romeo & Juliet—a tragic love story which many of us are familiar with, perhaps from our school days, or the famous 1996 film starring Leonardo DiCaprio (you know the one). Making such a classic play feel fresh is a challenge taken on by many but accomplished by few. The Everyman’s new production of Romeo & Juliet, directed by YEP (Young Everyman and Playhouse) Young Directors alum Ellie Hurt is a definitely a success story in the “re-imaginings” department!
This lively new show is a stellar example of the inventive ways in which modern creatives are keeping Shakespeare alive. From the moment you enter the auditorium, there is a palpable energy, with the Everyman’s thrust stage bringing audiences right into the action. The cast embrace this proximity too, often sharing a knowing look or—in Benvolio’s case—a flirty word or two with the audience. Creating this connection allows us as the audience to become immersed in every scene, to laugh easily at the jokes and feel the shock of bloody fights. Another key emotional aspect of this play is the music, composed by Dom Coyote using motifs from the script. Sung intermittently throughout the show by the whole cast, the original songs sculpt atmosphere both during and between scenes, with Eithne Browne (Friar), Elliot Broadfoot (Mercutio) and Milo McCarthy (Tybalt) in particular delivering spectacular vocals.
Making Shakespeare accessible to not only a contemporary, but a younger audience is no mean feat. The modern-day setting and depictions of youth culture help us to feel genuinely in tune with the action on stage: perhaps we relate to the banter between Benvolio and Mercutio or recall our own excitement when attending a party with our friends. The high quality of acting across the cast means that, after a few minutes’ adjustment, the barrier of Shakespearian language disappears too. In the second half especially, the rhythm and metre of the original play shines through even in the abridged script of this production. The performance I attended was captioned (Kay George), and whilst this adjustment is not something I would usually seek out, I found it very helpful to have the option to double check dialogue, as sometimes my brain is not quick enough to process what my ears hear! Going forward I would definitely recommend captioned performances as an accessible option.
Finally, I must mention the standout performance of Zoe West as Romeo. From big themes and emotions to tiny nuances, they create an intricate image of Romeo and his relationships. When he parties, we feel light; and when he sobs, we feel broken too. I was truly impressed by the ability of West to project their modernised character through beautifully enunciated and accurate Shakespearian lines. Romeo is definitely a crowd favourite in this production, and rightly so!
Romeo & Juliet is showing at the Everyman Theatre until 4 October, and tickets can be purchased on the website.
Words by Martha Luke
Support The Indiependent
We’re trying to raise £200 a month to help cover our operational costs. This includes our ‘Writer of the Month’ awards, where we recognise the amazing work produced by our contributor team. If you’ve enjoyed reading our site, we’d really appreciate it if you could donate to The Indiependent. Whether you can give £1 or £10, you’d be making a huge difference to our small team.