Reviews

A student reviews Romeo and Juliet (Garrick Theatre)

We sent 15 year-old Natalie Brundle to review Kenneth Branagh’s production of the play she read at school, ”Romeo and Juliet”, for the first time

Natalie Brundle

London London's West End

21 June 2016

Having read Romeo and Juliet when I was nine years old and again now I’m in secondary school, I was intrigued as to how Kenneth Branagh and Rob Ashford would present it. Also, having never seen it performed before and never fully understanding Shakespeare's complicated language, I figured Branagh’s season was a great place to start.

I had always thought of Shakespeare as a very slow playwright, someone who wallows in the detail and manages to express every little thing about his characters. That meant I really didn't expect the production to throw you immediately into the action with a stunning dance sequence directed by Ashford. Set in 1950s Verona, it was exciting, it was vibrant, it was full of life, it was everything I didn't find in the original text.

Yet it didn't stop there, led by Richard Madden and Lily James as the star-crossed lovers, the production managed to bring true meaning to the old and complex words, whilst also playing the characters as they are written: Romeo a love-sick puppy and Juliet young and naïve. I really admired the balcony scene, which highlighted the humour in Shakespeare's text. I hadn't realised that scene was so funny until actually seeing it.

When studying the text, I'd never pictured Mercutio as an older man, but with Derek Jacobi playing him I can't believe I never had (just imagine a cool grandpa unwilling to let go of his youth). I also found myself holding my breath during the fight scenes, despite knowing what will happen. Branagh’s play held its own voice and became something truly unique.

Would I recommend you go see it as a student? Yes, I would. I went in expecting to hear Shakespeare’s words simply spoken, but I found myself swooning, laughing and crying for the characters I finally understood. It was phenomenal.

By Natalie Brundle, a 15 year-old pupil at Hammersmith Academy.