Romeo and Juliet
Newcastle Theatre Royal
Tuesday 5 – Saturday 9 February 2019
The Royal Shakespeare Company roll into Newcastle with
possibly the most famous of William Shakespeare’s plays: Romeo And Juliet. The
show represents the return of director Erica Whyman, who was Chief Executive of
the city’s Northern Stage between 2005 and 2012. The play has been adapted, modified and
morphed into many forms for many different outlets over the years so it makes a
pleasant change to see it stripped down to its original form. A chance for the
purity of Shakespeare’s words to take centre stage.
The tale studies two powerful rival families that just don’t
get on. Even their servants fight. Matters then get complicated when Romeo
(Bally Gill) attends a ball at the Capulet house and finds himself falling in
love with Juliet (Karen Fishwick). Matters get complicated when Friar Laurence (Andrew
French) secretly marries the couple whilst further incidents occur between the
families. Juliet seeks out a solution but will it succeed?
This play is one of the texts that are studied by GCSE
English Literature students, hence the venue has the mixture of both
Shakespeare fans and teenagers. For some of the teenagers, this may be the first
visit to a theatre to see something that is not a pantomime. For the fans of
the Shakespeare, this will be an opportunity to compare it to other
productions. Both crowds had plenty to
be pleased with tonight.
The brutalist set design, from Tom Piper, has more in
common with the inside of the BBC TV’s Dragon’s Den’s lift than an Italian village.
Metal effect plans and a spinning block are supplemented by a set of stairs and
a chair. The costumes are modern giving the feel that this is going to be a
modern take on the Baird’s work and yet, the show is stripped down. The lack of
pretty sets and elegant costumes allow Erica Whyman to put the script and its
delivery centre stage. This is a Shakespeare play that has more in common with
the source material than first appears to be the case. The result is a rich
tapestry of extended exposition with lashings of well planned comedy. The
laughs from the audience felt genuine – I’ve been to productions in which the
laughs felt forced or on a need to know basis, rather than a reaction to the
actual show in front of us. The tenderness between characters is given the
opportunity to flourish. This is a
really well directed production.
Shakespeare’s plays are often ensemble pieces. By this I
mean that the cast all get a moment to shine. The danger of this is that you
can expose a weak link or have characters that gain a disproportionate amount
of the spotlight. This particular cast do an exceptional job of bringing the
show alive. Ishia Bennison is rapturous, as Juliet’s nurse, about her role in
raising Juliet. Understudy Nima Taleghani and Charlotte Josephine are mischievous
as Juliet’s cousin Tybalt and Romeo’s friend Mercutio. Andrew French is both
reflective and cerebral as Friar Laurence.
Having said that: the play will stand up or fall down on whether
we believe in the relationship between Romeo and Juliet. Fortunately both parts
are well cast. We loved Karen Fishwick in the wonderful Our
Ladies of the Perpetual Succour. This is a very different role in some
ways, but Karen exposes the vulnerability of Juliet’s position wonderfully.
Bally Gill’s Romeo energetically chases the love of his life. This production has a youthful feel about the
younger roles. The cast is enhanced by the younger members of the ensemble from
the Sacred Heart School in Fenham, Newcastle. These young girls did not look
out of place on the Theatre Royal stage.
There are some quirky aspects of the show that make it
distinctive. The lighting design from Charles Balfour that picks out the action
but leaves interesting shadows nearby.
The natural sound design from Jeremy Dunn that suddenly echoes like a
tomb when the need calls for it. Plus we have live performances of contemporary
music that lead to some surreal action in the early ball scenes.
A production of the GCSE set text will sell well. What is
important is that both the young theatre goers are impressed by the live action
and the fans of the genre see something different. This show succeeds on both
counts. This is a really satisfying interpretation of Shakespeare’s classic.
Even Joanne (not Bill’s biggest fan) loved it.
Review by Stephen Oliver
Photos:
Topher McGrillis
Tickets:
RSC’s
Romeo and Juliet plays Tuesday 5 – Saturday 9 February 2019.
Tickets are from £14.50 and can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office
on 08448 11 21 21 (Calls cost
7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge) or
book online atwww.theatreroyal.co.uk.
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