Since I was super sick when the group went to Hampton Court palace I will be writing my blog post about Romeo and Juliet.
I dont know how to describe this show, it was the craziest thing I have ever seen on stage in my whole life.
No set, no curtains, no costumes. I’ve seen Shakespeare done in a couple different ways but NEVER have I seen something quite like this.
I would say that one of the most bizzare parts of this production was the use of cameramen and projections of what they were recording. The actors would say entire monologues straight into the lense of a camera and IT WORKED. I thought it would draw me out but no, it made it so much more amazing. You could see every pore, every bead of sweat, every wrinkle; there were times I felt as if I were intruding.
Tom Holland of course was amazing. The entire production had so much more calmness and ease to it than the script entends. There were moments of loud in your face moments that were executed well but for the most part it was very soft and it felt like we were watching a movie. Tom was so good. He brought such a loving spirit to Romeo, when normally he is seen to be kind of a prick.
Another thing that was crazy was how little was happening on stage but for some reason still worked. For example, there was no props or anything, whenever they would “do” something, the only way we know that their character is doing it is through the language.
Also the death scene, UGH. To die for. They just sat on the apron of the stage very calmly and took off their mics when they died, how genuis.
I could go on and on about this show but I will leave it here for now.
But yes it was life changing.
Theatre in London U of A 