Southend Shakespeare Company presents
ROMEO & JULIET
by William Shakespeare
Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre
29th Nov – 3rd Dec 2022
Tue/Wed/Thu/Fri/Sat at 7.45pm Sat Mat 3.00pm
ROMEO & JULIET
by William Shakespeare
Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre
29th Nov – 3rd Dec 2022
Tue/Wed/Thu/Fri/Sat at 7.45pm Sat Mat 3.00pm
In the middle of a family feud, two young children are told to hate the only person who has ever made them feel love. But what is stronger? The hatred between the Montagues and Capulets or the love between Romeo and Juliet?
Join Southend Shakespeare Company, in a thrilling tale of love and the fight to let it thrive. Set to the Disco, Pop and Rock & Roll songs of the 70’s/80’s that you know and love. This will prove to be an epic telling of Shakespeare’s immortal tale of romance.
£16.00 / Concs. £1.50 off
Join Southend Shakespeare Company, in a thrilling tale of love and the fight to let it thrive. Set to the Disco, Pop and Rock & Roll songs of the 70’s/80’s that you know and love. This will prove to be an epic telling of Shakespeare’s immortal tale of romance.
£16.00 / Concs. £1.50 off
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Cast & Backstage Crew
Romeo - Alex Carter Juliet - Lila Wright Mercutio - Matthew Willis Benvolio - Parker Jace Betancor Tybalt - Tom McCarthy Lord Capulet - Dave Lobley Lady Capulet - Elena Clements Nurse - Gillian Bates Paris - Dylan Anderson Lady Montague - Katie Bysouth Friar Lawrence - Ian Hart Prince Escalus - Jack Byrne Sam - Chloe Bassett Rosaline - Megan Condon Apothecary - Andrew Sugden |
Director, Elliot BigdenAssistant Director, Vanessa Osborn
Lighting, Richard Foster Sound, Lee Jackson & Marius Clements Set, Graham Smerdon Stage Manager, Jess Ackland Business Manager, James Carte Front Of House, Ian Downie For more information about the SSC visit our new website at southendshakespeare.org.uk |
CURTAIN CALL
with Alex Carter, 20 from Southend and Lila Wright, 17, from Westcliff on Sea who play Romeo and Juliet
with Alex Carter, 20 from Southend and Lila Wright, 17, from Westcliff on Sea who play Romeo and Juliet
When did you start to take an interest in theatre? Did you take part in any productions at school?
Alex
I started acting from the age of seven, when I played the role of The Scarecrow in my school’s production of Wizard of Oz. From there, I started dance classes; and my love for Musical Theatre and Acting grew from there.
Lila
I have loved theatre for as long as I can remember- I did drama extra curriculars from when I was six, but was generally happy to blend into the background until I started secondary school, where I started to take part in productions. My favourite of these always the Shakespeare in Schools festival, which I took part in twice. I loved the opportunity to get involved with such interesting characters (especially compared to those we usually studied in school), as well as getting creative with the poetic language!
Are or were any members of your immediate family involved in drama?
Alex
My mum was a very good dancer in her day and performed in Christmas productions at the Palace Theatre.
Have you done any sort of formal training for acting/singing/dancing?
Alex
Yes, I am an accomplished dancer with qualifications in many styles of dancing, most notably tap which I have completed the highest grade.
I have found though however, that the best acting training I have ever received is from my fellow actors in the productions I have done with Southend Shakespeare Company!
Do you have any specialist skills – anything from stilt walking to dress-making – which you work into your repertoire?
Alex
Mainly just dancing – especially tap dancing
Lila
Just my raw natural charisma!
Which experience/role do you regard as the highlight of your amdram career to date?
Lila
This is the first amateur production I have taken part in- and it’s definitely a good place to start!
What has been your most embarrassing moment involving drama, on or off stage?
Alex
When I joined my current job I was asked to submit a headshot and also a ‘fun fact’ – me having a slight flair for the dramatics decided that I would submit a self-tape with me explaining my fun fact. Unfortunately, this wasn’t what they were quite looking for as I received an email back from the company’s HR rep which said “The video was lovely but we only needed a sentence” – my department has since been shown this video… not my finest hour.
Where do you work?
Alex
I am Accounts Assistant at RSM UK.
Lila
I am full time leech on my parents, and part time sales assistant at a DVD and record shop.
Following on from the previous question, has your theatre career ever been useful in your day job, and/or have you ever drawn on your day job for any of your stage activities?
Alex
Mainly just confidence in my own ability at public speaking – whether it be in in-person meetings, phone calls or general team discussions, my background in theatre always helps me get my point across.
Lila
Customers ask and say some (frankly) ridiculous things to me at work, and I honestly believe I deserve an Oscar for not laughing at them sometimes!
Are your friends mostly involved in theatre - perhaps even working with you on a regular basis - or do you socialise across a wider circle?
Alex
I have a lot of friends who are involved in theatre, and it is always nice to go to the pub after rehearsal to have a good catch up. I am a passionate Southend United fan so I have met a lot of people through supporting the team and of course my lovely colleagues at work, who it is always a pleasure to spend time with.
Lila
I have made a lot of friends through a mutual love of theatre, as well as from my college drama course, but I also have plenty of boring friends!
Which actor do you most admire and why?
Alex
I have always loved Riz Ahmed, I think he is criminally underrated! His nuanced performance in Sound of Metal is one of the most breath-taking pieces of cinema I have ever seen.
I am also in complete awe of Jeremy Jordan, who is extremely versatile and got one of the most amazing voices I have ever heard.
Lila
I absolutely love Meryl Streep. I am one hundred percent convinced she has lived every possible life because there is absolutely no character she cannot portray. She has the most incredible range, and is an all round ICON.
What role would you most like to play and why?
Alex
My dream role would-be Sweeney Todd. I think there are so many subtleties within the character that are there to be explored. I have often seen him performed using “broad brush strokes” but I think there is a whole other layer there ready to be stripped back and exposed.
Lila
In another life where I do musical theatre and am middle aged, I would love to play Tanya in Mama Mia!
Ever corpsed on stage? What happened?
Alex
Luckily, I can’t think of a time where I have… let’s hope it isn’t a good time for firsts!
Lila
I had a coughing fit on stage when I was in secondary school and had to run off during a dance number to take my mic off. Not my finest moment…
Tell us a bit about your part in "Romeo and Juliet".
Alex
I play Romeo, the ill-fated lover. Romeo is the one guy that falls head over heels for any girl that he lays eyes on. This is an endless cycle full of ups and downs and more importantly a lot of poetry! This all changes when he meets his ‘one’, the lovely Juliet.
I have tried to approach the role showing his awkward naivety when it comes to expressing his feelings to girl that he has a crush on!
Lila
At the start of the play, Juliet is a sweet and dutiful (if a bit sassy) daughter, who does her best to fulfil her role and not rock the boat. As the play goes on, she steadily develops a stronger sense of defiance after meeting Romeo and realising she does not yearn for the life her parents have planned her.
Alex
I started acting from the age of seven, when I played the role of The Scarecrow in my school’s production of Wizard of Oz. From there, I started dance classes; and my love for Musical Theatre and Acting grew from there.
Lila
I have loved theatre for as long as I can remember- I did drama extra curriculars from when I was six, but was generally happy to blend into the background until I started secondary school, where I started to take part in productions. My favourite of these always the Shakespeare in Schools festival, which I took part in twice. I loved the opportunity to get involved with such interesting characters (especially compared to those we usually studied in school), as well as getting creative with the poetic language!
Are or were any members of your immediate family involved in drama?
Alex
My mum was a very good dancer in her day and performed in Christmas productions at the Palace Theatre.
Have you done any sort of formal training for acting/singing/dancing?
Alex
Yes, I am an accomplished dancer with qualifications in many styles of dancing, most notably tap which I have completed the highest grade.
I have found though however, that the best acting training I have ever received is from my fellow actors in the productions I have done with Southend Shakespeare Company!
Do you have any specialist skills – anything from stilt walking to dress-making – which you work into your repertoire?
Alex
Mainly just dancing – especially tap dancing
Lila
Just my raw natural charisma!
Which experience/role do you regard as the highlight of your amdram career to date?
Lila
This is the first amateur production I have taken part in- and it’s definitely a good place to start!
What has been your most embarrassing moment involving drama, on or off stage?
Alex
When I joined my current job I was asked to submit a headshot and also a ‘fun fact’ – me having a slight flair for the dramatics decided that I would submit a self-tape with me explaining my fun fact. Unfortunately, this wasn’t what they were quite looking for as I received an email back from the company’s HR rep which said “The video was lovely but we only needed a sentence” – my department has since been shown this video… not my finest hour.
Where do you work?
Alex
I am Accounts Assistant at RSM UK.
Lila
I am full time leech on my parents, and part time sales assistant at a DVD and record shop.
Following on from the previous question, has your theatre career ever been useful in your day job, and/or have you ever drawn on your day job for any of your stage activities?
Alex
Mainly just confidence in my own ability at public speaking – whether it be in in-person meetings, phone calls or general team discussions, my background in theatre always helps me get my point across.
Lila
Customers ask and say some (frankly) ridiculous things to me at work, and I honestly believe I deserve an Oscar for not laughing at them sometimes!
Are your friends mostly involved in theatre - perhaps even working with you on a regular basis - or do you socialise across a wider circle?
Alex
I have a lot of friends who are involved in theatre, and it is always nice to go to the pub after rehearsal to have a good catch up. I am a passionate Southend United fan so I have met a lot of people through supporting the team and of course my lovely colleagues at work, who it is always a pleasure to spend time with.
Lila
I have made a lot of friends through a mutual love of theatre, as well as from my college drama course, but I also have plenty of boring friends!
Which actor do you most admire and why?
Alex
I have always loved Riz Ahmed, I think he is criminally underrated! His nuanced performance in Sound of Metal is one of the most breath-taking pieces of cinema I have ever seen.
I am also in complete awe of Jeremy Jordan, who is extremely versatile and got one of the most amazing voices I have ever heard.
Lila
I absolutely love Meryl Streep. I am one hundred percent convinced she has lived every possible life because there is absolutely no character she cannot portray. She has the most incredible range, and is an all round ICON.
What role would you most like to play and why?
Alex
My dream role would-be Sweeney Todd. I think there are so many subtleties within the character that are there to be explored. I have often seen him performed using “broad brush strokes” but I think there is a whole other layer there ready to be stripped back and exposed.
Lila
In another life where I do musical theatre and am middle aged, I would love to play Tanya in Mama Mia!
Ever corpsed on stage? What happened?
Alex
Luckily, I can’t think of a time where I have… let’s hope it isn’t a good time for firsts!
Lila
I had a coughing fit on stage when I was in secondary school and had to run off during a dance number to take my mic off. Not my finest moment…
Tell us a bit about your part in "Romeo and Juliet".
Alex
I play Romeo, the ill-fated lover. Romeo is the one guy that falls head over heels for any girl that he lays eyes on. This is an endless cycle full of ups and downs and more importantly a lot of poetry! This all changes when he meets his ‘one’, the lovely Juliet.
I have tried to approach the role showing his awkward naivety when it comes to expressing his feelings to girl that he has a crush on!
Lila
At the start of the play, Juliet is a sweet and dutiful (if a bit sassy) daughter, who does her best to fulfil her role and not rock the boat. As the play goes on, she steadily develops a stronger sense of defiance after meeting Romeo and realising she does not yearn for the life her parents have planned her.
Any plans for the future, after "Romeo and Juliet"?
Alex
Nothing really, I am planning on taking a break from productions for a while to focus on a few bits for work (but then again… I have said this MANY times, so we will see!)
Lila
(Hopefully) pass all of my A-Levels this summer!
Any tricks for remembering your lines or other useful tips to pass on to others involved in drama?
Alex
Voice Notes are your BEST FRIEND. On my phone, I currently have every scene that Romeo is in recorded line by line, which I will listen to every chance I get. Not only does this help with my lines but it also really helps to learn my cue lines!
Lila
I have always been rubbish at learning lines, but the best thing I find you can do is to get rid of your script as quickly as possible. Even if you don’t think you know your lines, if you try to remember them without a script in your hand they solidify in your mind so much quicker!
