“Throw your mistempered weapons to the ground”
Shakespeare’s Globe’s gripping 90-minute production of Romeo and Juliet is set in the present day and created especially for young people to support the curriculum.
The production will be directed by Director of Education, Lucy Cuthbertson, Director of Olivier award-nominated Midsummer Mechanicals (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, 2022).
Set in 2024, this is the most famous story about teenagers ever told: their intense passion lights up a world of increasing violence between rival gangs, the Montagues and the Capulets.
Caught in the spiral of hate and revenge, Romeo and Juliet connect across enemy lines. Can they break free of the bloodshed and find hope for a different future?
The cast includes Gethin Alderman, Sharon Ballard, Ashley Byam, Simeon Desvignes, Marième Diouf, Miriam Grace Edwards, Felixe Forde, Owen Gawthorpe, Liam King, Hayden Mampasi and Saroja-Lily Ratnavel.
Public performances run alongside the schools’ project, supported by Deutsche Bank, as part of their global youth engagement programme ‘Born to Be’.
There are over 26,000 free tickets for pupils aged 11-16 at London and Birmingham state schools, with subsidised tickets for schools nationwide and a range of accessible performances including Integrated BSL.
Alongside the production, workshops on Romeo and Juliet will run throughout the Easter Holidays, including practical drama activities and games for young people to attend alone or with their families.
Director Lucy Cuthbertson says: “It’s a privilege to be directing this production of Romeo and Juliet at Shakespeare’s Globe.
“For 18 years, our flagship education project has been enabling hundreds of thousands of students to experience theatre for free, made possible by the support from Deutsche Bank’s Born to Be programme.
“There is no place like the Globe to see Shakespeare. We hope this contemporary vision for one of the world’s most famous stories will resonate with our young audiences and indeed anyone coming to Shakespeare for the first time.”
Shakespeare’s Globe, Bankside, SE1 from 19th March – 13th April. Times: Tues – Sat 7pm; matinees 2pm. Admission: £5 – £65. Half price seated tickets for under 18s.
Booking: https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/
Running time 90 minutes (no interval)
