[Ad-gifted] One thing is for sure – is I am a super-fan when it comes to Romeo & Juliet – with my first introduction to this story as teen studying my GCSEs. Our era was lucky enough to appreciate the talents of Baz Lurman and made our studies so much easier to withstand, with his fabulous and iconic re-creation of Romeo and Juliet, featuring Clare Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio. From that moment, I was able to truly grasp the works of Shakespeare along with the language he used, which in turn created my loyal love for this story.
I have watched the play performed through the eyes of Matthew Bourne, through a set only created ONLY with sellotape – that intertwined along the stage through the movement of the cast (at a small theatre of which I don’t remember the name) and out in the open air at Stafford Castle, all of which have helped to lock in my love for Romeo & Juliet! So, when I got asked to review this version of the story where Romeo & Juliet are in the 40s, I couldn’t refuse. I was curious to see how this would work, as you have to lose the innocence of their characters and make them more worldly wise?
If you want to find out how it went at the New Vic Theatre – the wonderful theatre in the round in Newcastle-under-Lyme last night, keep reading…
What I thought of Romeo & Juliet at the New Vic
What a buzzing performance of Romeo & Juliet with a twist, with last night feeling as though the audience were voyeurs of a secret rave, where two people meet and fall in love! This retelling of Romeo & Juliet focused on class divide and family rivalries and unlike traditional retellings where it always feels as though the Capulets and the Montagues are on a level playing field – in terms of status, these were very much from two very differing worlds.
The concept worked well and if you were a fan of nightclubs in the late 90s, then you be fully onboard with where the story takes you. The dance scenes transported you back to the dance-floor where you are engulfed by strobe lights and loud music – this was perfectly depicted at the scene in Juliets house, where the protagonists meet for the first time at her family party.
In this adaptation by Not Too Tame – Russel Kane and Natalie Casey play Romeo & Juliet, who both were such a good fit with the genre being portrayed. Especially Casey (who you might remember from Two Pints of Larger and a Packet of Crisps), whose iconic acting style and strong Northern accent pulled Juliet from 16th Century Verona to the North-West of England in the 90s.
Both actors delivered the complicated language in a way that you don’t have to be a die-hard Shakespeare fan to understand. Plus the way in which Not Too Tame made deliberate but discrete changes to certain phrases and weaved in modern language, made it easy to follow.
Both Romeo and Juliet are in the 40s and still live at home in this portrayal. The fact that the characters were older wasn’t focused upon as much as I had hoped – with both Romeo and Juliet still portraying a certain innocence, rather than seeming as though they’d been round the block! I think rather than them never having left their parent’s hold, I felt it would have been more successful to depict them as though they had returned to family home as adults. I did, however, love the atmosphere created throughout the play. You felt the emotions of the scenes, whether it was comedic or sullen.
Equally, the costumes were brilliant and again totally apt to the era. The sets were simple but made good use of the limited space. The dip in the floor was at one point a swimming pool, a boutique lounge, a bedroom and a building site – all changed through the use of simple props.
Some parts that didn’t sit quite so well were certain innuendos that were quite misogynistic – now is this because all in all, Shakespeare is misogynistic? I think it probably is, written way back when…in 1595 maybe when told in a traditional retelling you wouldn’t notice the misogyny, however, when the story is modernised, maybe it’s harder to ignore/disguise?
Another quirk to the play I felt I wanted to mention, was the role of Peter, played by Andrew Butler, although a brilliant and funny actor, I was just unsure of his character’s significance throughout the play. I felt that most of the scenes – apart from one – he was involved in (I won’t spoil it by describing), were strange and at times unnecessary. This doesn’t take away from the fact that Andrew Butler is clearly a great comedic actor, I felt it was more in terms of the writing that this character was let down (which can inadvertently be blamed on Butler, as he is one of the three members of Not Too Tame, involved in the adaptation).
Despite its quirks, this production remains a fun and must-watch retelling of Romeo & Juliet. With just nine actors filling the stage in the round at the New Vic, the performance felt full and immersive throughout. Equally, the inclusion of crowd interaction from the cast added to this. And last night you couldn’t help but come out feeling satisfied of an evening well spent at the theatre.
Cast of Romeo & Juliet
Russell Kane plays Romeo
Natalie Casey stars as Juliet
Andrew Butler as Peter
Kieran Foster as Benvolio
Louise Haggerty as Nurse
Lizzie Hopley as Capulet
Patrick Knowles as Friar & Tybalt
David Nellist as Montague & Paris
Ray Sesay – Mercutio
Creative Team
Director Jimmy Fairhurst
Designer Loren Elstien
Lighting Designer Daniella Beatie
Sound Designer Patch Middleton
Choreographer & Movement Director PaddyJoe Martin
Fight Director Kenan Ali
Vocal Coach Anita Gilbert
Intimacy Coordinator Kim Wright
Casting Associate Anji Carrol CDG
Associate Director Kayleigh Hawkins
Set, props and costumes all made by New Vic Workshop and Costume Department.
How much are the tickets for Romeo & Juliet?
Tickets are on sale now, priced from £17.50 to £44. Suitable for ages 14+. Contains depictions of violence.
How do I book tickets to watch Romeo & Juliet?
Tickets are now on sale and available from the Box Office, by calling 01782 717962 or visit the New Vic Theatre’s website here.
How long will Romeo & Juliet be running for and what are the timings?
Romeo & Juliet will running until Saturday, 10 October with evening shows at 7.30pm and Matinee at 2.15pm (on 24/09, 03/10, 08/10, and 10/10).
Interpreted Performances
Captioned: 7.30pm Wed 7 October
Audio described: 2.15pm Sat 10 October
Where is New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-Under-Lyme?
New Vic Theatre
Etruria Road
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Staffordshire
ST5 0JG
The theatre has a large car park, with a £2.50 charge on show days. Only contactless card payment is currently accepted for parking charges.
The theatre café is open 10am to 3pm, Monday to Saturday – then from 5.30pm for pre-show meals.
Booking is required for pre-show meals 5.30pm onwards, via their booking system at this link.
About The New Vic Theatre
Founded in 1962, the New Vic is the producing theatre for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. With around eight major productions a year, its varied programme includes contemporary drama, new commissions, adaptations and classics. Recent productions have toured nationally and internationally, and have transferred to London and Manchester. The New Vic has developed extensive and award-winning community involvement. It works regionally, nationally and internationally through its education department and New Vic Borderlines, which aims to change the lives of the most disadvantaged members of the community. The New Vic is funded by Arts Council England, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council.
Review by : Lex Ward
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Review: The Hound of the Baskervilles at the New Vic Theatre
Review : A Matter of Life and Death at The New Vic Theatre
Photo Credit: New Vic Theatre/Patch Dolan
* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.
