Romeo and Juliet Reimagined

In March 2016 I saw Kenneth Branagh’s reimagining of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” at the Garrick Theatre, starring Richard Madden and Lily James in the lead roles. Having previously seen Branagh’s version of “A Winter’s Tale”, also by the Bard, and been dazzled by both the level of performance and the ingenuity of the production elements I was looking forward to the production.

Branagh’s concept transferred the tale of fated love to a glamourous Italian setting. Designer Christopher Oram captured the identity of 1950s Verona by coupling gorgeous costumes, inspired by Federico Fellini’s classic “La Dolce Vita”, with a brutalistic set. The imposing stone columns and sharp edges overshadowed the silk and lace.

Holly Williams, Theatre reviewer for “The Independent” wrote, “Michael Rouse as Juliet’s father gives a performance that would blister paint off the walls. His rash insistence that Juliet marries Paris may grow from grief, a loss of control for a man used to exerting it, but it spirals rapidly; the moment when, bending his daughter to his will he ends up straddling her, is skin-crawling”. In August I learnt that the lead role of Romeo had been transferred from Richard Madden to Freddie Fox. Whilst many ticket holders were understandably disappointed at the change of lead actors, I was delighted and saw this turn of events as a rare opportunity to compare the styles of two successful actors. I was keen to see how Fox’s performance differed to Madden’s within the context of identical productions, especially since Madden had had months to rehearse with James to build the relationship between the star-crossed lovers, whilst Fox had only been given a weekend’s notice before he would be performing it onstage. Although aesthetically Fox stood out with his Celtic blonde hair amidst the typically Italian setting Branagh had created, his boyish yet sophisticated Romeo harmonised beautifully with the company. Having previously seen the production I was awestruck by just how believable Fox and James had made the relationship between their two characters. Whilst I had found Madden’s portrayal of Romeo to be more sensitive and tender, creating a sense of calm and security between his character and James’ Juliet reinforcing the idea of fated love, Fox’s Romeo was characterised by naive and impulsive streaks accentuating the youth of his character. This very juxtaposition is emphasised in Act Three Scene Three when the reactions of the two Romeos to learning of their exile differs drastically. Whilst Madden collapsed into sobs in keeping with his sensitive portrayal, Fox began violently gagging onstage. By reacting so physically to the news of his character’s separation from Juliet, Fox implies that Romeo’s connection to his lover runs deeper than emotions. Ultimately, I was not only struck by how impressive Fox’s performance had been but also how James had moulded and altered her Juliet to complement his portrayal of Romeo. In the air of an Argentine tango, Fox presented the steps and James accepted. That is to say that Fox entered the stage with a rash and hotblooded Romeo and James raised him a quick-witted and fiery Juliet resulting in a dangerous and explosive relationship. Bethan R (Upper Sixth)

I WAS AWEST RUCK BY JUST HOW BELIEVABLE FOX AND JAMES HAD MADE THE RELAT IONSHIP BETWEEN THEIR TWO CHARACTERS.