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

Guest Contributor

| 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.