Re-imagining of Romeo and Juliet premiering at The Chelsea Theatre
A fresh new adaptation of the world’s most famous love story is coming to The Chelsea Theatre.
The re-imagining of Romeo and Juliet which premieres next month tells the tale of feuding families and doomed romance – but with a twist.
Romeo’s lines will be said instead by Juliet and vice versa.
Set in present-day London where the streets are tense with the global pandemic and the BLM movement, Intermission Youth’s Juliet & Romeo also interweaves 400-year-old verse with urban dialogue to give new relevance to Shakespeare.
Intermission Youth’s artistic director Darren Raymond said: “Transposing all of Juliet’s lines with Romeo’s and vice versa does something really interesting to this ancient text and brings fresh insight into this story with its themes of love, revenge, relationships and what it means to be a woman in this world.”
Mark Rylance, Intermission Youth’s trustee said: “There is so much dissection and political pressure around Shakespeare these days, I find it hard sometimes to connect with my old love for the plays themselves.
“But when I listen to the sincere vital playing of the young actors of Intermission Youth, my love is reborn and I feel that old bard magic – that wonderful connection with the emotions and imagination of the genius of Shakespeare.
“The gender change is a revelation and works beautifully. Only young people can do justice to Romeo and Juliet. Prepare to be moved to laughter and tears. This is authentic stuff.”
Juliet & Romeo at Chelsea Theatre from November 10 to December 4
Pictured: Mark Rylan (Intermission Youth’s trustee) and Darren Raymond (Youth’s artistic director) - Copyright Richard Jinman
