The New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich have put themselves on the map for livestreamed content since their 2020 pantomime.
This version of Romeo and Juliet has been abridged to 100 minutes, and is meant to be an introduction for those unfamiliar with the play or Shakespeare.
I opted to join the afternoon livestream to review, and I do need to note that both stream and show at the New Wolsey were beset by technical problems.
Most notably, the failure of projections, which on further research seem to be character enlargements, backgrounds, and news reports on the family feud in Verona.
It was also a problem that the stream started twenty minutes late and actually threw me out after fifty minutes, meaning I had to reload the link again.
With this in mind, I have decided not to add a star rating to this review, as I did not see it as the creatives intended.
It works well as a primer to the classic play, with carefully considered cuts and deeply engaging performances, especially from Tom Casey (Romeo) and Ophelia Charlesworth (Juliet).
Paris and Friar Laurence are given short shrift, but the party where the young lovers meet is a pounding disco, and their quick and passionate attachment can at least be tolerated, if not fully understood.
A quirky and fast-paced Romeo and Juliet, directed by Douglas Rintoul, this adaptation fulfils its brief of appealing to English and Drama students and anyone new to the play.
I also applaud all concerned for dealing with the technical issues, which must have been frustrating.
With some cast making their professional debuts, or working at midscale for the first time, and a crew entirely from East Anglia, this show is a celebration of emerging and regional talent – crucial in circumstances where councils are cutting arts funding.
This production ran at New Wolsey Theatre from 1-8 Feb with livestreams on the afternoon and evening of 8 Feb.