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A brilliant idea, beautifully and economically realised. Curious Pheasant Theatrepresent 'Romeo and Juliet', an LGBTQ+ male led production. Two families replaced by two rugby teams – the situation set up in seconds with the cast warming up and making some set plays in their contrasting strips. Cut to the minimum, no Nurse or Friar here,nor family beyond Capulet; how efficiently the director has given us the essence of the play. There is first class movement, almost dance through the show, where one picture or mime really does replace a thousand words. The match play and fights are conciseand convincing on a bare stage with five white light boxes moved to change scene.. You get all the key speeches with minimal changes to allow for a male Juliet. The cast are strong all round dealing with the text.
Romeo, Mercutio and Benvolio for the Montagues; Juliet, Tybalt and Capulet for theirrivals. Romeo and Juliet handle the tender realisation of the love delicately with a touch of shyness. Mercutio brings energy and a touch of camp to enliven both sides before Tybalt's rage sets off the tragedy. Capulet coldly sets up revenge. The lovers fleeto the train station (cue BR announcement not in the original text) before their demise. Benvolio has been loyal friend throughout and mourns the loss. Each character is clear in speech and purpose. This is really accessible Shakespeare for the 21stCentury. Macho pride is presented in the physical side of the production, care is taken with the poetry to embed this tragedy in the present day.
Derek Benfield
