We all know the story of the star-crossed lovers. But let's just say it's a little... Paint-by-numbers.
“Two families at war, four days of turmoil, six tragic deaths.
Never was there a story of more woe, than this of Julien and his Romeo.”
It's still the lethal, fiery, passionate tale told all those years ago, but it's been pushed to the now, for a more modern context. Sure, it's “the greatest love story ever told” . . . But it's also a tragic take on the human condition, a peek into the all-consuming passion of first love, the horror of violence and oppression.
Director Jamie Collette says he wanted to create a world in which the barriers to acceptance were torn down.
“When the opportunity for this project first arose, I knew I wanted to make it unapologetically queer, and hopefully, make ol’ Billy proud,” Jamie says.
“A shift has begun over the last decade, and we’ve begun to see the representation of LGBTQ and relationship-queer stories slowly emerge – mostly through TV and online media. Theatre is such an immediate art form, the transference between storyteller and audience is very direct. So, I want to tell the stories I wish I’d seen earlier in my life, so I wouldn’t have spent so much time thinking I was just weird.”
Jamie goes on to talk about how it's about time stories like these were told in a fresh way, which more accurately reflects society in 2019.
“This show is not about marginalisation, it’s about normalisation. Love is universal. Sex is universal. Tragedy is universal. So why not see two young men falling in love? Why not see queer people of colour in positions of authority? We get to take an old story and make it new again, and, hopefully, empower people to take ownership of their experience.”
“Every rehearsal I am blown away by the phenomenal talent and dedication of the actors who we have gathered despite being a grassroots debut production. From veteran professionals of the Sydney stage to some of the most promising newcomers to the scene, each and every one excites and inspires me. I’m not sure if I’ve ever been part of a show that I’ve been more excited to see.”
