Romeo & Juliet

Love and hate are at the heart of the Lyceum’s new season opener, the time-honoured tale of Romeo and Juliet. Directed by Tony Cownie, this revival of one of the world’s most performed plays stays true to the text while managing to give the well-worn tale a new lease of life. Shakespeare’s classic tale of young love set against a backdrop of violence and retribution follows the eponymous leads, Romeo (Will Featherstone) and Juliet (Kirsty Mackay), as they embark on a passionate affair that will eventually overpower them, and lead them to a tragic end.

The Lyceum’s decision to open their Autumn of Love season with Shakespeare’s best-known play may seem a relatively safe decision after the excesses of the Festival, but while Romeo and Juliet may seem like a disappointing start to the theatre calendar, Cownie’s production is a pleasantly surprising and thoroughly thoughtful revival of the Bard’s classic tragedy. Combining a sustainesd onstage energy with an intimate understanding of the script, the themes of first love and social stigma are presented with care and understanding in a production that rejuvenates the somewhat over-performed script. By focusing on the intensity of that first love affair, and combining it with some familiar surges of sheer teen angst, Cownie’s Romeo and Juliet becomes a refreshing and relevant tribute to the power of the original work.

With its issues of loyalty, religion and dedication, the real message of this revival is one of nostalgia; the longing to once more be young, reckless and full of hope. Relative newcomers Featherstone and Mackay captivate as the doomed couple in a play that boasts such theatre heavyweights as Liam Brennan, Cara Kelly and Steven McNicholl. With its impressive sword fights choreographed by Raymond Short and Neil Murray’s timeless set and decadent costumes, this is a welcome example of the Lyceum’s ongoing contributions to Scottish theatre.