Romeo and Juliet
A co-production with Bristol Old Vic, Belgrade Theatre, and Hackney EmpireA love song to Romeo and Juliet, and we are wooed from the first note
The Midland Arts Magazine
The original play, originally scored – with rap and R&B.
Everything that makes Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy so well loved is here. The rich, feuding families. The intense, forbidden passion. And the flash of violence that tears the young lovers apart, sending them spiralling towards tragedy...
This is unmistakeably Shakespeare’s love story, unaltered in its original text. But it’s not just Shakespeare’s play. There is an important plus one: rap.
This story shines with new, original elements of rap, soul and R&B. Think everyday English as well as the Elizabethan variety. And the poetry of rap rhythms as well as perfect pentameters.
Romeo and Juliet is a co-production with Bristol Old Vic, The Belgrade Theatre in Coventry, and Hackney Empire. Directed by Corey Campbell, Creative Director of the Belgrade, the play springs from communities within Coventry, with music elements that reflect collaborations with That’s a Rap and A Class.
Artwork by feastcreative.com
Corey Campbell’s short, Turn and Draw, filmed in the grounds of Coventry cathedral, explodes into rap as the rapiers are drawn.
Romeo and Juliet: Before Verona Bled
Presented by Bristol Old Vic’s Young SixSix | 3-5 Apr (evening performances + Saturday matinee), in the foyer
Last summer, Corey Campbell (Director of Romeo and Juliet) and That’s a Rap (Rap Theatre makers and lyricists on Romeo and Juliet) came to Bristol to run workshops with our Young SixSix and other young people from Bristol, exploring the themes in the production.
Since then, the Bristol Old Vic Engagement team have been working with Young SixSix to create a short piece that will be presented in our foyer from 3-5 April, prior to the show. The performance will include movement and new songs written by the group exploring the conflict (or “beef”) between the two families, all inspired by the sound in the production.
What Is Young SixSix?
Young SixSix is an ensemble that meets regularly at Bristol Old Vic to make and watch theatre. The aim of the project is to offer pathways into theatre for young people who may not have considered it before. Find out more
A fresh and compelling take on the classic play
AllthatDazzles
Performed with passion
The Stage
An impressive production with a talented cast
BritishTheatreGuide
Kyle Ndukuba is sensational as Romeo, his command of the Bard is mesmerising
WhatsOnStage
The meshing of the Shakespearean dialogue with the extra musical parts new for this production is so seamless that at times you are left questioning which are the new words and which are Shakespeare's
Elementary WhatsOn
Teachers! Download our free activity sheet ⬇️
On Stage
In Rehearsals
Photos: Nicola Young
