Romeo and Juliet 1993

Performed by the LSC Bishop's Old Palace, Lincoln

24th - 31st August 1993

Director: Simon Clark

Assistant Director: Karen Harrison

Music: Rik Alliwell and Donna Capaldi

Cast

Escalus: Neil Perkins

Mercutio: Simon Clark

Paris: Andy Mayer

Lord Montague: Rob Smith

Lady Montague: Karen Harrison

Romeo: Simon Hollingworth

Benvolio: Richard Jones

Abraham: Paul Corbett

Balthasar: Richard Jones

Lord Capulet: Richard Main

Lady Capulet: Liz Lucas

Juliet: Jo Smith

Tybalt: Dave Clayton

Nurse: Jo Clark

Peter: John Marshall

Gregory / Samson: Andy Mayer / John Marshall

Friar Laurence: Karen Harrison

Friar John: Neil Perkins

An Apothecary: Paul Corbett

The Chorus: The Company

The Capulets and the Montagues are mortal enemies, constantly fighting. However, when Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet fall in love, there is hope that the long running feud may soon be resolved. Because of this Friar Laurence agrees to their secret marriage. Almost immediately things go horribly wrong. Mercutio, Romeo's best friend is killed in a dual by Tybalt, Juliet's cousin. Enraged, Romeo kill Tybalt and is forced to flee, banished from the city on pain of death. Juliet's grief is compounded when her father arranges a marriage for her to Paris. She consults the Friar who gives her a potion which allows her to feign death. Meanwhile the Friar plans to reunite the 'star crossed lovers' when she awakes. The Friar's message to Romeo goes astray, and the young man returns to Verona believing that his wife is dead. Romeo kills Paris who he finds grieving at Juliet's tomb and then he poisons himself. Juliet wakes too late and follows her husband by falling on his dagger. The Montague and Capulet households are shocked into reconciliation when the tragedy of their children's love is fully revealed by the friar.

" So there we were, Simon and I entangled in Romeo and Juliet's final embrace, about to kiss and part forever. The audience was with us for this poignant moment and all crisp bag rustling was at a minimum. Until, that is, I mentioned the famous line about nightingales and larks. At that very moment, along sweeps an enormous owl, hooting merrily, sending out ripples of giggles among those watching. I too had to bite my lip, which made for a very attractive Juliet. You'd think that said bird could have attempted a nightingale impression!"

Jo Hollingworth (nee Smith) - 'Juliet'.

"The tale...is performed with much passion...you could almost be in medieval Italy"

SJA Newark Advertiser 27/8/93.