Romeo and Juliet act out their courtship as part of their therapy, from touching palm-to-palm at a high-class party, to fleeing together after Friar Laurence’s fake suicide plan actually worked, and Juliet woke up on time. They moved to Paris. They have a child together. But some playwright called Will’s love story about them has become myth, and now they can’t get away from it.
In Juliet and Romeo, Lost Dog Dance Company reimagines their story.
“We all know the story: Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet met, fell in love, tried to unite their warring families and then died in a tragic misunderstanding. OR DID THEY?” Director Ben Duke asks.
“When I watch Romeo & Juliet I always hope their timings will be different and Juliet will wake up a few moments earlier,” Ben continues. “I know she never will, but I can’t help hoping for it. The idea for this show came from allowing myself to imagine that alternate version.”
In Lost Dog Dance Company’s Juliet and Romeo the lovers are 40ish, at least one of them is having a mid-life crisis, they feel constantly mocked by their teenage selves and haunted by the pressures of being the poster couple for romantic love.
They have decided to confront their current struggles by putting on a performance – about themselves. Their therapist told them it was a terrible idea.
“It’s an emotional rollercoaster,” says Kip Johnson, who plays Romeo. “It moves from the mundanities of everyday domestic relationships to regret, betrayal and distorted love. It’s a beautiful, humorous and heartbreaking ride; I’m relishing the challenge it offers as a performer.”
Alex Coke at The OFS says: “Juliet and Romeo takes a legend that we all know, and turns it completely on its head. Instead of this tale of doomed love, it becomes a play about relationships, and about how you can live with someone for years without ever really knowing what they think. It’s really moving, very funny, and strikingly beautiful.”
Combining beautiful contemporary dance, witty dialogue and two fantastic performances from Solene Weinachter and Kip Johnson, Juliet & Romeo will make you question what Happy Ever After could mean.
Juliet & Romeo runs on Friday March 27 at OFS.
www.oldfirestation.org.uk or 01865 263990.
