I made my way through the multitude of people and claimed a spot at the very front of the stage. I had the opportunity to stand in the yard for the entirety of the three-hour production of Romeo and Juliet and I was ecstatic. I never thought I’d see a Wild West adaption of the classic Shakespearean tale much less in the famous remake of the Shakespeare Globe in London. I have always adored Shakespeare and have read Romeo and Juliet twice, so I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed. However, I also didn’t expect to be completely blown away by this experience.
It felt like a true and just interpretation of how the play was performed during the 16th century with the exception of the genre and setting changes. In the original production of Romeo and Juliet, the family feud drama and cross-stared lovers begin their secret relationship in Verona, Italy sometime between the 14th and 15th centuries. However, in this interpretation, they conduct their love affair within the American Wild West in the 19th century. After viewing the show, I found this change to be extremely fitting and vastly interesting. “The fascinating, diverse, and often disturbing history of the Wild West provides a rich backdrop for Romeo and Juliet. The ‘ancient grudge’ between the Capulets and Montagues gains new force in this contested space, where violence is often the solution to divided communities” (Shakespeare’s Globe).
The usage of old English stayed true to the classic script for the majority of the time which can be complex and difficult to understand for a modern audience. However, each actor’s portrayal of every line, every instance including their vocal inflections, facial expressions, and physical movements made the story come to life. Even if each character spoke in a completely different language, one would still be able to comprehend the actions and basic narrative clearly. The actors’ various small and apparent gestures, the production choices concerning the set design, musical elements, and direction all contributed to a spectacular performance. It felt like I was attending a party where I was able to witness first-hand friend and family drama. It was an absolutely magical rodeo that I didn’t want to leave!
Theatre in London U of A 