Romeo & Juliet – Liverpool Everyman

Shakespeare’s heart-wrenching classic has mesmerised audiences for generations, and in this potent, powerful new Everyman production, director Ellie Hurt takes it back to its brilliant basics.

United by passion but forced apart by their families, Romeo and Juliet are young lovers who must transform their present to forge a beautiful tomorrow.

But with their feuding households locked in a deep-rooted cycle of violence and hate, is it possible to win the loved-up future they crave?

“The ancient feud between the families was created by older generations, but it trickles down and it ends up being the young people who are caught in the crossfire. They
don’t even know why they’re fighting.” Ellie Hurt, Director, Romeo & Juliet.

Directed by Ellie Hurt with musical direction from Dom Coyote, it is contemporary in sound with live music to help drive the storytelling.

‘It feels like a bit of a warning about missed opportunities, being closed-minded – about not moving forward or adapting or changing. It’s a warning about holding onto things from the past.’ Ellie Hurt, Director, Romeo & Juliet.

It is great for students to hear the language of Shakespeare and see key characters come to life in the scenes. It will be a great stimulus for the classroom giving students ideas to:
• improvise their own scenes to explore key moments
• write their own versions with music
• write in role through the style of letters or diary entries
• write newspaper reports of the action
• explore dilemmas and decision making
• explore love and relationships
• explore older generations impact on younger generations

Age suitability

Things to know