Theatre News

Shakespeare Makes Twitter Debut in RSC Sorrow

Theo Bosanquet
London's West End

A “world first” version of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet taking place entirely through social networking site Twitter  launched today.

A collaboration between the Royal Shakespeare Company and new media entertainment company Mudlark, Such Tweet Sorrow features a cast of six who will play out the story in real time over the next five weeks.

Directed by RSC associate director Roxana Silbert, the production features Spring Awakening star Charlotte Wakefield as Juliet and James Barrett as Romeo.

Twitter is an online networking site that allows users to upload messages (tweets) of up to 140 characters in length. The script of Such Tweet Sorrow is entirely improvised, and features characters including Friar Laurence (@laurencefriar), Tybalt (@Tybalt_Cap) and Mercutio (@mercuteio).

The drama began on Saturday (10 April), and has so far prompted lines including, “Remember my shit will get you #stoned and for all those out there who laid on it’s time to pay” (Tybalt) and “montagues & capulets. Would love 2 talk 2 others about how to deal with *that* problem” (Friar Laurence).

To follow the action as it unfolds, visit www.suchtweetsorrow.com.