Photo: Tristram Kenton
The Shakespeare Globe presents as part of the summer season. A new lively production of Romeo and Juliet, a play of young love and tragedy. This is one of Shakespeare’s controversial plays “which the age of a character is overtly stated, Juliet is just thirteen”. Romeo’s age is never mentioned but the sense is he is not much older than his Juliet played by Lola Shalam. It offers Shakespeare style, set within the wild west times of the 19th Century, yes cowboys. Don’t be fooled It has its scenes of tragedy, violence and misfortunate heartache.
Set in Verona it revolves around a story of feuding families, the Montagues and the Capulet’s of which Romeo is a Montague and Juliet a Capulate. The two meet for the first time at a ‘coming out’ banquet for Juliet. Romeo with his friends Benvolio and Mercutio arrive uninvited disguised, and they soon get noticed when they join in with the social’ line dancing’. Within hours Romeo played by Rawaed Asde falls in love with Juliet and she quickly proclaims her love to Romeo beneath her balcony. The young lovers marry within twenty-four hours of meeting each other. The complex tale unfolds from here and follows the trajectory of miscommunications and impetuous behaviour.
The dialogue is Shakespearean prose with references to meanings typical of this genre. Coated with themes of wild west culture, cowboy boots, Stetson’s and square dancing. Holmes hits the funny with this style and direction.
Rawaed Asde and Lola Shalam spoke with ‘true grit’, whilst also being graceful in their portrayal of Romeo and Juliett, a cohesive performance. Nurse, Lea Des Garets eye catching performance is one to watch she has such a way with words ‘many of them’. The excellent slick cowboy Michael Elcock as Mercutio and the cheeky style of Benvolio Roman Asde both enhanced the delivery of this play. The audience loved it, compliments to all the performers who were truly amazing in their performance.
The Globe open theatre on a warm barmy night with its beauty and history truly lent itself to this wild west style on a classic. Lots of fun and verve, Shakespeare I am sure would have been amused.
Romeo and Juliet is at Shakespeare’s Globe until 2nd August, https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on/romeo-and-juliet/
Reviewer: Michelle Knight
Reviewed: 2nd May 2025
North West End UK Rating:
Running Time 2 hours and 50 minutes including an Interval.
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