Jersey Evening Post
By Anthony Dearie, 24th September 2008
There can’t be many versions of Romeo and Juliet that boast humour
as one of the many ingredients in the famous balcony scene. However, Shakespeare’s R&J isn’t quite your average version of the
play.
"...(an) electrifying success"
For a start despite being perhaps the most well-known love story
ever written, telling the tale of the ultimate star crossed lovers,
every character in this performance was played by just four young men
But no, this wasn’t simply a return to times past when lead female
roles in the theatre would automatically be played by men. Nor was it
some kind of parody over mockery of a play which over the years could
be argued, has become over-familiar.
The reason was in fact because its creator; Joe Calarco, obviously
wanted to take the play to a new level, give it a kick up the backside
and in the process make Romeo and Juliet far more accessible to a
modern viewing public- all of which it did to electrifying success.
"mesmerising"
Perhaps surprisingly for a Tuesday night, the Original Theatre
Company’s powerful performance at the Arts Theatre last night was
watched by an almost full house.
Set in a strict boys boarding school in the 1950’s, the play sees
the four boys escaping from their rigorous daily routines, which
include memorising Latin verbs, to hide out in the school chapel one
night.
When the gang begin to get bored, one of them picks up a copy of
Romeo and Juliet, which they had used to hide a pornographic magazine
inside. As they read through the first few pages they snigger at
references to sex and the use of words like loins. However, soon they
find themselves acting out the play.
What makes this production so mesmerizing is that while you are
watching the Shakespeare classic you are also seeing the relationship
between the four young men unfold. And although most of the dialogue
is done through the words of Shakespeare, double meanings are rife
through much of the language, as well as the action. Some fight scenes
almost become real, for example, and the way the boys react to parts
of the play sheds a fresh light on some of the dialogue.
"...Shakespeare’s R&J triumphs over numerous other modern versions
of Romeo and Juliet"
As you watch the lads discover the intensity of Shakespeare’s
classic tragedy, it is like you are watching a second play at the same
time, as you witness them growing up and discovering more about
themselves. And this is where Shakespeare’s R&J triumphs over numerous
other modern versions of Romeo and Juliet which have been staged or
screened in recent years.
Perhaps the most ironic thing about last night’s performance was
the fact that-directly echoing the boys reactions to certain parts of
the play- many of the students felt the need to snigger at certain
scenes (in particular those which involved bodily contact and kissing
between the men). As the play progressed though, the boys forgot their
childish behaviour and simply became absorbed in the text. Likewise
although a couple of irritating youngsters continued to snigger until
the end, by the plays closing scenes of intense passion the majority
were too absorbed in the drama to care.
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