ROMEO AND JULIET by William Shakespeare at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast on the 8th of February 2023


 ROMEO AND JULIET by William Shakespeare at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast on the 8th of February 2023, adapted by Anne Bailie, directed by Phillip Crawford

 

Finnigan Garbutt, Adam Gillian and Thomas Finnegan in Romeo and Juliet


Is Shakespeare still relevant in the snapchat age?  This version of Romeo and Juliet attempts to mediate modernity with the archaic language employed by Shakespeare through a sprinkling of anachronism and knowing cultural reference.  The theatre itself becomes an extension of the stage with lots of cleverly modulated advertisements looking like displays for Gucci or Armani but featuring actors from this version of the play.  The production values created by set designer Robin Peoples were classy and so was the play.  The play combines authenticity with anachronism, the set design in Shakespeare’s time, but the costumes are modern.  Maybe the play is uncertain about its tone, whether to go for the updated excesses of a Baz Luhrman or for a more traditional approach?



The impressive stage set featured famous places mentioned in the play, the balcony, the church (where the lovers are married), towers, turrets, and a loggia because what is a play set in Italy without a loggia?  Robin Peoples has solved intricate perspectival problems with clever use of stage props and scenery that is typical of the Lyric.  The lighting design of James C McFetridge was also impressive, pastel shades of cream, pink and blue closely mirror a day’s passing from noon to evening to night.  Sets are either warm or cool, depending on the time of day.  Transitions of day and night were well arranged with knowing winks from sound designer Chris Warner.   There’s also lots of fake stage blood because Romeo and Juliet’s a violent play.

Adam Gillian as Romeo Montague


Everyone knows the story.  Initially Romeo obsesses about ‘the fair Rosaline’, a lost lover who never seems to appear although he raves on about her a lot.  A set that looks like a street straight out of Renaissance Verona comes complete with a neon advertising hoarding which features neatly tailored adverts that confer a degree of authenticity.  The soundtrack is a mixture of Italian songs, grave cello breaks, and other songs that move the action and the scenes along.  This production was never boring.


Emma Dougan as Juliet Capulet


The two families, Montagues and Capulets, are caught between civic and religious authority, symbolised by Escalus, Prince of Verona and by the figure of Father Lawrence.  He marries the two lovers only to see their marriage collapse as Romeo is banished for the murder of Tybalt.  At times the cast took the pronunciation of Shakespeare’s language a bit too seriously and there could have been less ‘banish eds’ or further archaisms and more of the modern rhythms of English instead because it has been adapted.  The play fits very neatly into contemporary definitions of ‘society’ and it has been re-imagined in many times and places as symbolical of strife and all of the conflicts and divisions that occur when the state and families are at odds.

The balcony scene


Adam Gillian and Emma Dougan make plausible lovers.  The entire ensemble made the speeches sound elemental and convincing, the action hardly paused and rushed through every significant scene with aplomb.  Romeo and Juliet is highly recommended for everyone to see, especially as we now approach St Valentine's Day.

Paul Murphy, Lyric Theatre, February 2023


Steven Cooke and Layta Sharma in Romeo and Juliet


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