Review: ROMEO AND JULIET, Shakespeare’s Globe

Photo credit: Tristram Kenton

On a warm May evening, there can be no better setting for a Shakespeare play than the Globe Theatre on the edge of the Thames and in sight of St Pauls Cathedral. If that does not get you in the mood for a romantic tragedy, then nothing will. As the Groundlings enter and gather around the stage, the excitement builds, and we gaze upon the Western style saloon doors and speculate on how Romeo and Juliet will be transferred from medieval Italy to the Wild West. A light breeze chills the air as the production starts under the blue sunlight sky.

This is experiential Shakespeare, how the plays were written to be received. Airplanes fly over intermittently and occasional drown out the un-amplified voices on stage but this focuses you on the words; you need to concentrate hard but the diction and delivery is generally good from a fine cast.

The story is perhaps the most familiar of any of Shakespeare’s plays. Romeo (of the Montague family) falls for Juliet of the rival Capulet family when he gatecrashes their party. With the help of Friar Lawrence, he seeks to consummate his relationship, but it all goes tragically wrong. In this production (spoiler alert) the ghostly presence of Tybalt, Mercutio, Paris , Romeo and Juliet conclude the show in a slow dance.

The Western setting at least provides some moments of light-hearted fun, especially in the first act, with some hoedown dancing and swinging saloon doors. It does freshen up the storytelling with stetson hats and holsters! The first meeting between Romeo and Juliet is marked by an amusing, if slightly bizarre, dance to ‘Sail Away, Don’t You Rock Me Daddio’, a 1956 hit for Lonnie Donegan! The Groundlings enter into the spirit, whooping, cheering and applauding at every entrance and encouraging the cast to speak at and engage with the audience. The cast respond by constantly connecting with them with their eyes and occasionally focusing closely on an individual to deliver a line to the amusement of all around or when Romeo leaves the stage to hide “among the trees”. The critical scenes of Juliet’s balcony and later, her bedroom, are played from a mobile platform manoeuvred within the groundlings, adding immensely to the immersive feel.

There is a fine cast who speak the lines with great clarity. Sometimes the desire to project tips over into shouting and occasionally, we lose a phrase as the plane flies over. There are strong characterisations which shine through. Mercutio (an animated Michael Elcock) and Benvolio (a charming Roman Asde) are impressive speakers who hold your attention, and Jamie-Rose Monk is a strong feisty protective nurse. Friar Lawrence (John Lightbody) becomes a western vicar in dog collar, frock coat and holster. Dharmesh Patel presents a delightful contrast between the illiterate Peter and the authoritative peacemaker, the Prince (here converted to Sheriff).

Juliet is played by Lola Shalam as a headstrong knowing grown-up woman with plenty of attitude, rather than a young innocent besotted 13-year-old and is delightfully insincere in her apology to her father. It is intriguing to reflect that Shakespeare’s own daughter Suzanne was 13 when he wrote this and the marriage with parental consent was allowed at this age. The age of consent in the US was only raised to 16 in the 1920’s! Romeo (Rawaed Asde) is a pleasure seeking rebellious young man. They are at their best together in the war of words across the balcony, which ends with “parting is such sweet sorrow” as the trolley is rolled back out of the theatre through a sea of smiling faces.

Director Sean Holmes marshals the cast with great discipline and control, largely without stage furniture, but beautifully engaging the audience in a way that can only be done at the Globe. It is very noticeable as the tragedy unfolds, they become more solemn and quieter. The venue offers a delightful experience glimpsing a little into how Shakespeare’s plays were once presented, and this production offers an accessible and fun, immersive experience that any London tourist should enjoy.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Nick Wayne

Romeo and Juliet plays at Shakespeare’s Globe until 2 August, with further info here.