Shakespeare's R&J at Reading Rep Review
A modern take of the timeless love story
“A pair of star-crossed lovers take their lives”. The famous love story is now given a new life by the Reading Rep, a community theatre based in the namesake town. The 1999 adaptation of the story is written by director and playwright Joe Calarco juxtaposing the classic love story with the setting of an all-boys boarding school.
This new take brings in a fresh, new perspective beginning in a mysterious setting where the four pupils that make up the cast seems to have to bind to strict rules: saying prayers in unison at various times of day, moving chairs in uniformed motion… That is until the group discovers a copy of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and decides to put on a secret performance.
The use of framing devices attempts to communicate the students trapped in their secret love story juxtaposed with the story of Romeo and Juliet, which is where confusion sometimes arise as to whether the characters are “playing” or “living” Shakespeare, but perhaps that might be the creative intention behind the piece - to blur the line between the characters’ fantasies and realities.
The cast multi-roles as both students and characters in the Shakespearean tale, with all four actors bringing their unique personalities to each role. But Elijah Ferreira as Romeo really generates chemistry in his interactions with Brayden Emmanuel’s Juliet. Luke Daniel’s versatility shines engaging with the lovers as multiple core presences in their lives, while Tom Sowinski brings in plenty of humour as Juliet's close Nurse.
The mysteriousness of the characters’ school world is echoed on a modern, diamond-shaped set design with a matching truss suspended above the stage. The lighting rig uses the set design to its full advantage by cleverly manipulating light and shadow, complimented by a lighting strip lining the exterior of the truss which adds to the contemporary feel of the piece.
This condensed rendition of the timeless tale brings in fresh new perspectives to relationship struggles under a harsh climate, ultimately challenging what love can look like in the world we live in today.
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Tickets and Accessibility
🎟️ Tickets were purchased with a combination of mailing list and age-based concession offers, ranging from £7.50 to £9.50. Sign up to Reading Rep's mailing list here.
♾️ There are clear content warnings on the door advising of the use of haze, flashing lights and loud noises. The loud noises featured, e.g. thunder, is not too loud but these are usually accompanied by moments of flashing lights.