To mark the European Year (2008) for Intercultural Dialogue, the Malta Drama Centre has entered in a collaboration with Studio Theatre West, a West London drama institution directed by Julie Saunders. Ms Saunders will direct a multi-ethnic, newly adapted version of Shakepeare's Romeo and Juliet, to be staged at the Centre's open air theatre on the 25th and 26th July 2008. The production, which will be technically backed by staff and students from the Malta Drama Centre will be staged under the auspieces of the Secretariat for Youth in Sports in Malta and sponsored by Merlin Library, ITS, Vodafone and Nexos Lighting Systems.
DIRECTOR'S NOTES
Romeo and Juliet is one of the best known and loved of the bard’s plays. The young star-crossed lovers Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet fall in love despite the ongoing feud between their two families. Tragically, they are only united at the end through death. Although our Romeo and Juliet is a modern interpretation, I hope it will echo the classical Europe where Shakespeare set the story.
After all, our present consists of our past. In his introduction to his 1971 play ‘Lear’, Edward Bond says : ‘In trying to defend itself, society is bringing about its own destruction.’ That’s what’s happening in Romeo and Juliet and is, I feel, very relevant to our present times.
Everyone in this play has been affected by the social frame – by the feud and the violence. And the trigger-happy rage is a reaction to their existence, to the frame that twists and deforms them. Fear is the biggest motivating force driving society or the nanny state to establish the frame, but nothing motivated by fear has ever ended in good. Unlike most people in this society, Romeo and Juliet are not motivated by fear. They are fearless. The rules and laws imposed upon them are a suggestion of how to live. They choose to reject that suggestion and go against the rules.
When Romeo overhears Juliet speaking on her balcony, he knows that at last, this time he has found his soul mate. Together, they have found something wonderful, but Society doesn’t leave room for the wonderful. Human society has eliminated it because whatever is wonderful is full of wonder, and wonder implies what is unknown, inexplicable, and therefore fearful. Romeo is a young man desperately looking for love and Juliet is beginning her journey to maturity. They are both bursting with wonder. Our children are born full of wonder....
Julie Saunders - TSW Artistic Director
REVIEWS OF THE LONDON PRODUCTION
Through dances, costumes, songs and verses, the company move as one: beguiling and exuberant. This production promises us something raw and exciting from the offset.
We hardly notice the gender transformation (Mercutio and Benvolio are played by females) and very good too, especially Mercutio as played by Lucie Neale who brings an extra bitterness to the part with her underlying love for Romeo, nor do we notice the casting of Black actors in traditionally white roles. Beautiful Mr Capulet (played by Desmond Boadi) commands the stage, charismatic, his tone and manner Holly Hunter’s Juliet is lovely, a breath of fresh air….
The genius of director and script writer Julie Saunders, recreates the same mixture of hilarity and deep heart wrenching despair required of Shakespeare's original, but through entirely different (and very modern) means. Tonya Blowers Acton - W3Reviews
The acting is impeccable.
Ryan Russell
Romeo and Juliet is another triumph for Theatre Studio West Youth Group…….
The costumes were stunning, and the production was vibrant and exciting. Dynamic stage fighting delivered to a high standard, mixed with breathtaking dance routines and exceptional acting topped off a remarkable achievement by director Julie Saunders.
What's On Acton Gazette
The entire cast give superb performances.
Really and truly amazing: such a polished and inspired adaptation! Julie Saunders continues to deliver top notch youth productions.
Southfield News
CAST & TECHNICAL CREW (in alphabetical order)
| Celine Beirne | PETRA/WORKER/OFFICER 2 |
| Leah Bernardine | ISABELLA/GUEST |
| Stephanie Anatole | PRINCE |
| Simian Bell-Sandy | PARIS |
| Elise Brammer | MRS MONTAGUE/SISTER JOAN |
| Molly Brammer | TYBALT/DRUG DEALER |
| Desmond Boadi | MR CAPULET |
| Winnie Kakouris | BENVOLIO |
| Bethany Cutmore-Scott | REVEREND LAUREL |
| Sam Ferrera | SAMPSON/PAGE/PARTYGOER |
| Stefano Gualtieri | GREGORY/BALTHAZAR/GUEST |
| Holly Hunter | JULIET |
| Rory Maher | CHORUS |
| Lucie Neale | MERCUTIO/OFFICER 3 |
| Ryan Russell | ROMEO |
| Jacinthan Sandy Armstrong | CHORUS |
| Stephanie Selby | ABRAM/OFFICER 1/GUEST |
| Nikesha Walters-Morrison | MRS CAPULET |
| Nazerene Williams | NURSE |
| Director | JULIE SAUNDERS |
| Project Manager | VALERIE BERNADINE |
| Stage Managers | DAMIAN MURRAY / MICHEAL GARDNER |
| Supervisors | FREDERICK BRIARS / FLO WILLIAMS |
(All other duties are undertaken by the senior members of the company)
For the Malta Drama Centre
| Lights & Audio | JOE VELLA |
| Wardrobe Assistance | MARIA DEMICOLI |
| Secretaries / Box Office | JOSEPH SALIBA / RITA SCIBERRAS |
| Publicity | MARIO AZZOPARDI |
| Pamphlet | MERLIN LIBRARY |
| Co-ordination | MARIO AZZOPARDI |
The Malta Drama Centre would like to express its gratitude to the Hon. Mr Clyde Puli, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth & Sports for his full support, the EU Prgrams Agency (EUPA), Nexos Lighting & Vision, Merlin Library, as well as the local media.
© 2008 - The Drama Centre Malta , All rights reserved.
Intercultural Dialogue:
Romeo and Juliet
