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Pros: Much deserved applause for all actors that can recite Shakespeare without a breath.
Cons: These performers need a bigger stage!
The story of ‘the star-crossed lovers’ celebrating Pride? Priceless.Summary
Rating
Good
Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet is one of my favourite pieces of writing, so I was hugely excited to be watching a live performance of it. If you aren’t familiar with the story of Romeo & Juliet, this is what you have to know.
This updated version of the story is set during the warmest months of the year. People outside are celebrating – it’s Pride Time, and the euphoric souls are leading a joyous harmony. Through the streams of people, you meet members of the Montague and Capulet families, who are old rivals. After bitterness arises again, a violet brawl leads to the two clans standing each other once again. In the middle, you meet Romeo and Juliet, two young women who, from the moment they meet, realise that they are star-crossed lovers. You get to see if their pure love, and their will to risk everything for it, will either unite the two houses or take or take them to war.
Controlled Chaos Theatre Company originated in Melbourne, Australia, in 2007. Its UK formatives and artistic directors Dylan Lincoln and Paul Anthoney began the journey in 2017, making Romeo & Juliet their third production. Their philosophy remains to encourage people from diverse backgrounds to enter the theatre world, either on or off stage, and to ask women to take centre stage in otherwise male dominated British classic productions.
Waterloo East Theatre hosts the production, but the immensity of the play definitely needs a stage bigger than that on which the action takes place.
Carmella Brown gave the audience a giddy Romeo and was complemented by the gentle performance of Ashley Winter’s Juliet. Kevin Kamara enthusiastically and passionate portrayed the vigorous Mercutio in a stand-out performance.
Just in time to celebrate Pride month, this whimsical production of one of the greatest love stories will definitely bring warmth to your life. Remember not to focus on the rotten ending, but revel in celebrating love.
Written By: William Shakespeare
Director: Paul Anthoney
Assistant Director: Holly Mallett
Fight Director: Robin Hellier
Lighting Designer: Chuma Emembolu
Costume Designer: Florence Odumosu
Sound Designer: Michael J Ansley
Stage Manager: Sophia Start
Booking Information: Until 8 July 2018
Booking Link: https://waterlooeast.ticketsolve.com/shows/873587766
