By Katie Isham. Pictures: Craig Fuller.
Star rating: 5/5
“The day is hot, the Capulets are abroad, and if we meet, we shall not scape a brawl.” And marry, if you head to Salisbury Playhouse before the 7th June, you shall not ‘scape a brawl, nor a ball, nor one of the greatest theatrical events you’ve ever seen, nay, taken part in.
For this magical version of the traditional tragedy invites you to be part of the drama: it’s an immersive production beckoning you into the foyer which is now the Capulet Mansion, across a graffitied car park, through the backstage doors and back to the front of the theatre which is transformed for various scenes at various heights (obviously the balcony plays a starring role).
Excitement builds outside the theatre as the whole building takes on a new guise: we’re in Capulet’s Verona from the outset. The theming is excellent from the Capulet cocktails and Montague mocktails to the lavish gold décor. It’s impossible not to get immediately swept along with the drama as Lord and Lady Capulet welcome us as their guests; audience members mingle with Capulets dressed to impress.
And it must be applauded how brilliant the entire team is: Wiltshire Creative invited 100 community participants and members of the Stage 65 Youth Theatre to join the leading cast and to bring Verona to life. Everyone was in character – from two very sparkly, classy Capulet ladies arguing about the press taking their pictures to the rambunctious Montague mob hurtling through the soirée!
By then the charismatic Lord Capulet had asked us to don the headsets (silent disco headphones) and follow Capulet security out of the ball. The transitions between locations were incredibly smooth and the 300 strong audience was ushered easily thanks to the hi-vis team, some of whom seemed to really revel in the arm waving. I would add that some people had brought travel chairs with them and although there was some benched seating, if you struggle with mobility, a chair would aid comfort.
The first drama came in the car park with a stand-off between the Montagues and Capulets. Let me start by saying that within the first few minutes, my cheeks hurt from smiling and I was on the verge of tears. This is exactly what theatre should be about. I looked about and was grateful to be sharing my time with a group of people all engrossed in the action. And what action it was. The young performers put their heart into it, the fight sequences were excellent and then Mercutio turned up.
Mercutio is one of the greatest of Shakespeare’s characters and Will Jennings was a fantastic version, bringing his wit and nonchalance alive in a Salisbury car park. It’s easy to forget how much humour Shakespeare intertwined with the tragedy but Jennings added vocal acrobatics and comic timing to steal most of his scenes. Which was difficult to do as the whole cast was exceptional.
Grace Wylde and Will Fletcher as the star-crossed lovers were full of heart and the 400-year-old words of love and angst sounded fresh from teenage brains. Shaniya Hira embodying a female Tybalt was an interesting direction and Rebecca Cooper brought warm and belly laughs to the Nurse.
Wiltshire Creative Artistic Director Gareth Machin also takes directing reigns for this grand (presumably logistical nightmare of a) production. He’s definitely pulled off something special here. Everything ran smoothly and was joy-inducing in the immersive creation. From the reverse ball watching dancing in the aisles to Romeo banished to “Mantua”; they used every part of the theatre and surroundings including the roof, the reimagined civic space outside and dramatic window reveals. The headset never felt intrusive and really added to the experience when cast members were flung off into remote(ish) locations.
However, I would recommend removing the headset for certain moments when close to the action or when walking through the community cast for some of the more poignant moments. Ironically, it felt more immersive to take them off.
This landmark production of Romeo and Juliet highlights the Brutalist beauty of the building that fosters such creative industry and the community that revolves around the arts scene. It’s fitting that in its 50th year, the building takes centre stage. But if there were no people, there would be no building. The team behind this has created something remarkable. The cast, technical crew, front of house staff and everyone who has worked so hard to create this experience and to enrich the days and lives of each audience member should be celebrated. I didn’t want it to end and I would return again. (Maybe the letter would get there next time?)
I’m sure we would have all given you a standing ovation had we not already been standing and wiping away tears at the tomb. The Wiltshire Creative team has come together in these hot days when the mad blood is stirring to create something we all need to quench our appertaining rage: a refreshing retelling of the classic tragedy celebrating the Salisbury Playhouse building and beyond. Bravo!
Join the immersive Romeo and Juliet at Salisbury Playhouse from 24th May – 7th June.
Romeo and Juliet | Wiltshire Creative
Salisbury International Arts Festival | Wiltshire Creative
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