Ugly Shakespeare - Romeo and Jules

This week, our Year 10s were treated to a high energy, and very accessible performance of Shakespeare’s iconic romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. However, this version with Jules, was less focused on the tragedy, and more about highlighting the tempestuous nature of teens and teenage love - relevant? We think so.

The performance was delivered by the Company’s second all female cast, and was produced by one of the first people of colour in its 26 year history. As with any Ugly Shakespeare interpretation, the audience was treated to many of the Bard’s famous lines, like “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name. And I'll no longer be a Capulet,” which was then matched with a more modern and impromptu reply from Romeo swearing his love for Jules by stage light. With the comedic take on different characters - Paris was French, and Lord Capulet a “Kiwi Bloke” - the story was fast-paced and highly engaging.

But underneath all the fun and laughs, what clearly came across was Jule’s strength. She was portrayed as a young woman with great integrity and intelligence. All in all, our students will have found something of value to take with them into their upcoming study of Shakespeare.