A classic tale, told under a blue Melbourne sky in a picturesque park – Melbourne Shakespeare Company’s ‘Romeo & Juliet’ is a delight.
In this razor-sharp, 90-minute performance, Shakespeare’s most iconic love story is set in 1940s post-war Vienna.
Leah Fitzgerald-Quinn’s gorgeous costumes – worn by the cast who are making their way around the space and handing out ID cards – immediately transport audiences, and characters are easily distinguished by names pinned into clothing. It sounds on-the-nose, but it’s a great stylistic choice (genuinely looks quite cool) as well as being helpful for those who may be new to the story.
In the natural light and space of a park, there are no curtains to open. . . No house lights to bring down. So ‘Romeo & Juliet’ begins organically, with cast members, who are already speaking to one another, raising their voices to signify that the show has begun. This is a clever and natural way for things to kick off.
Immediate praise must be given to whom this reviewer believes to be the stand-out of ‘Romeo & Juliet’ – Amanda McKay as Nurse. Her dynamic delivery and ability to project her voice (the latter a particularly necessary skill in an environment such as this) make her instantly enjoyable to watch, she’s hilarious and unpredictable. Other stand-outs include Jacqueline Whiting as Tybalt, John Vizcay-Wilson as Mercutio, and the flamboyant audience favourite Asher Griffith-Jones as Paris.
Oliver Tapp and Marlena Thomson have tangible chemistry as Romeo and Juliet respectively. While the velocity of this romance and its stakes are, in a modern context, hard to grasp, the presentation of the story makes you believe it’s as real as it gets.
Plus, the addition of some modern music fully played and sung by the cast, is more than welcome – also adding a layer of intelligent comedy. Harmonies are satisfyingly tight, and each song feels impressively well-rehearsed.
One thing that could elevate ‘Romeo & Juliet’ just that little bit more is microphones. In a public, outdoor park, the natural world is playing its own role in the show. On this night (1 March), a loud group of children and their families, some noisy wind gusts, and an unleashed dog all guest-star in ‘Romeo & Juliet’. . . Each unfortunately slightly distracting from some fantastic moments throughout.
That being said, none of the above is enough to draw any of the cast away from delivering a great night out for their audience. Even the dog, which wanders on to set in the middle of a scene, is quickly whisked away and nothing more is said – a mark of true professionalism for these great actors.
If you can forgive the potential for some unplanned occurrences, which come with the territory of performing in a space like this, ‘Romeo & Juliet’ is a highly enjoyable night out. . . For a friend group, a couple, or a family. It takes a classic story, brings it forward in time and adds some stunningly-performed musical numbers and fresh comedy, to great effect.
Bravo, MSC!
★★★★☆
