Reader Reviews
Romeo and Juliet (Royal Exchange, Manchester)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | The two things that drives this play are love and hate. The Montagues and the Capulets feud, probably because they always have done, until Romeo falls in love with Juliet. In this excellent production Andrew Garfield's Romeo falls madly, passionately head over heels in love with Juliet and sets off a chain of events that have catastrophic results. As is usual at the Exchange the acting, design and direction all combine to provide an entertaining and thought provoking evening. Religion is key to this interpretation and updating it to 1960's Italy allows the audience to ponder that the basic story is still relevant in any time period. It also offers modern references without compromising the basic story. The show's climax is tense, dramatic and beautifully executed and the audience gave the cast a justifiably loud "curtain call." One final observation, the stage is decked with clothing drying on lines in the hot Italian sun. Is this an allegory for "Washing your dirty linen in public?" - 20.138.246.89) | 14 Oct 05 |
