Romeo and Juliet
Bell Shakespeare presents
Romeo and Juliet

14 Apr 2016 to 1 May 2016

Violence rumbles through the streets with two families at war. From such angry beginnings flame the fire of passion and forbidden love.

From the first intimate blush to the tragic finale, Romeo And Juliet is a story for all ages. A tale of a chance meeting, love at first sight, the passion of youth, and old family feuds spilling blood.

In a city divided by anger and from rivalling families, Romeo and Juliet come together in a dangerous union of love.

Beautiful and intimate, Romeo And Juliet will be directed by Artistic Director Peter Evans, who will breathe new life into one of the greatest love stories ever told.

Visually stunning in its nod to the layers of storytelling and the history of the play, it will feature a talented cast, including Alex Williams (Underground: The Julian Assange Story, INXS: Never Tear Us Apart) as Romeo, and Kelly Paterniti (Bell Shakespeare’s As You Like It) as Juliet.

The feuding Montagues and Capulets fight again on the streets of Verona. Prince Escalus warns that they must not further disturb the peace.

Romeo and his friends gatecrash the Capulets’ masquerade party, where Romeo meets Juliet. They instantly fall in love. Later that night, Romeo returns to meet Juliet and they exchange vows of love. Romeo tells Friar Lawrence what has happened and he consents to marry them.

Tybalt, a Capulet, challenges Romeo, but Romeo refuses to fight. Mercutio is fatally wounded by Tybalt. Romeo fights Tybalt and Tybalt is killed. Benvolio reports what has happened to the Prince, who banishes Romeo. The Nurse tells Juliet of Romeo’s banishment and promises to bring him to her.

Capulet tells Paris he may marry Juliet in three days. Juliet refuses to marry Paris. She goes to the Friar for help and the Friar devises a plan: he will give her a potion that will make her appear dead and thus avoid the marriage, and will write to Romeo to tell him; they can then elope to Mantua.

Juliet tells her father she will now marry Paris. She retires and drinks the potion. When discovered, she is taken to the family crypt. In Mantua, Balthasar tells Romeo that Juliet is dead. Romeo vows to lie dead next to her that night, and obtains a poison from an apothecary. Friar John tells Friar Lawrence that he was unable to deliver the letter to Romeo. Realising the danger, Friar Lawrence leaves to tell Juliet what has happened.

Upon visiting Juliet’s tomb, Paris encounters Romeo. They fight, and Romeo kills Paris. Romeo then drinks the poison and dies beside Juliet. The Friar arrives to see Romeo dead and Juliet waking. She refuses to leave and kills herself with Romeo’s dagger. The Friar explains what has happened. The Montague and Capulet families are reconciled over the bodies of their dead children.

CREATIVE TEAM

By William Shakespeare
Director Peter Evans
Designer Anna Cordingley
Lighting Designer Benjamin Cisterne
Composer & Sound Designer Kelly Ryall
Fight & Movement Director Nigel Poulton
Voice Coach Jess Chambers

WITH

Alex Williams
Kelly Paterniti
Jacob Warner
Damien Strouthos
Tom Stokes
Angie Milliken
Michael Gupta
Justin Stewart Cotta
Hazem Shammas
Michelle Doake
Cramer Cain

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Venue
Arts Centre Melbourne - Fairfax Studio
Session TimesTicket PricesDuration
160 minutes inclusive of interval.
Tour Dates and LocationsMedia
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