REVIEW
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
Romeo and Juliet
Cramphorn Studio
Chelmsford Civic Theatre
Chelmsford
Thursday 3rd July to Saturday 5th July
7.30pm
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
Romeo and Juliet
Cramphorn Studio
Chelmsford Civic Theatre
Chelmsford
Thursday 3rd July to Saturday 5th July
7.30pm
"For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo"
It was difficult to watch this play without thinking about and making comparisons with Baz Luhrmans Romeo and Juliet as if attempts to tread a similar path.Yes, this is Shakespeare with backwards baseball caps, army fatigues and dance music.
The action started outside with Montagues and Capulets squaring up to one another with a thuggish Tybalt telling Benvolio to turn and look upon his death. The rival gangs use knives rather than swords but the language remains the same. The show and audience then moved indoors.
The Capulet party had a band playing T Rex as the revellers walked up and down the aisles, special mention for the actor playing Paris whose dad dancing was quite hilarious.
Of course this is where the young lovers meet for the first time. William Love (aptly named) brings a lanky clumsiness to the role coupled with an athlethisism which lends itself to physical comedy. In short he is not your stereotypical Romeo but was entertaining none the less.
Director Mike Dodsworth is to be commended for the overall production as this show really does work. It uses a minimalist background and keeps it simple, but a great young cast really help make this a memorable performance.
Friar Laurence was probably miscast as he was too young. I can't say I liked his MC Hammer trousers or his vaping, but these are small matters.
This was a talented group of actors but there was only one star amongst them and that was Alexandra Duffy who plays Juliet.
Firstly she looked the part due to her youthful looks and wardrobe. She also had the acting chops and the overall charisma and presence to take her to the next level. It was hard to take your eyes off her whenever she was on stage. Her performance made this production better than it otherwise would have been.
This was of course a group effort, which is also to be commended for helping make Shakespeare accessible to a younger generation.
Review: James Harrington
The action started outside with Montagues and Capulets squaring up to one another with a thuggish Tybalt telling Benvolio to turn and look upon his death. The rival gangs use knives rather than swords but the language remains the same. The show and audience then moved indoors.
The Capulet party had a band playing T Rex as the revellers walked up and down the aisles, special mention for the actor playing Paris whose dad dancing was quite hilarious.
Of course this is where the young lovers meet for the first time. William Love (aptly named) brings a lanky clumsiness to the role coupled with an athlethisism which lends itself to physical comedy. In short he is not your stereotypical Romeo but was entertaining none the less.
Director Mike Dodsworth is to be commended for the overall production as this show really does work. It uses a minimalist background and keeps it simple, but a great young cast really help make this a memorable performance.
Friar Laurence was probably miscast as he was too young. I can't say I liked his MC Hammer trousers or his vaping, but these are small matters.
This was a talented group of actors but there was only one star amongst them and that was Alexandra Duffy who plays Juliet.
Firstly she looked the part due to her youthful looks and wardrobe. She also had the acting chops and the overall charisma and presence to take her to the next level. It was hard to take your eyes off her whenever she was on stage. Her performance made this production better than it otherwise would have been.
This was of course a group effort, which is also to be commended for helping make Shakespeare accessible to a younger generation.
Review: James Harrington
Shakespeare's most memorable star-crossed lovers are given a revamp in the Civic's version of Romeo and Juliet produced by Chelmsford City Theatres and brought to life by Essex director Mike Dodsworth.
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Using local professional actors, this Amplified Theatre production will make you feel part of the action, as if you're standing on the streets of "Fair Verona where we set this scene..."
Two teenagers from two feuding families fall in love after a chance meeting. Should they follow their parent's wishes and remain sworn enemies or should they pursue their forbidden love and break the chain of hatred? The only questions need answering; are you team Montague or Capulet? Will the course of true love ever run smoothly and which date are you coming to see the show?! |
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Ticket Prices
- Tickets: £12.00
- Concession: £10.00
For tickets go online to www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres
[email protected]
Or call the box office on 01245 606 505
[email protected]
Or call the box office on 01245 606 505