“ROMEO AND JULIET” JOINS MAINSTAGE AT BARD ON THE BEACH

In Full … Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival continues its 18th season with the romantic tragedy Romeo and Juliet. It plays in repertory with The Taming of the Shrew Tuesdays through Sundays in the 520-seat open-ended Mainstage tent in Vanier Park from June 13 through September 22. Dean Paul Gibson returns to Bard for his 7th season as director following last summer’s sold-out staging of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Shakespeare’s famous tale of star-crossed lovers is unquestionably the world’s best-known love story and most sensuous romantic tragedy. As the Montagues and the Capulets perpetuate a relentless feud, Escalus (Ian Butcher), Prince of Verona, has called for peace. While attending a Capulet party with Mercutio (Bob Frazer) and Benvolio (Daryl King), young Romeo (Kyle Rideout) and Juliet (Taylor Trowbridge) meet and fall in love. With the help of Juliet’s Nurse (Lois Anderson) and Romeo's confidant Friar Laurence (David Marr), the couple secretly marries. However, a confrontation between Juliet’s cousin Tybalt (Michael Scholar, Jr.) and Romeo’s friend Mercutio breaks out and, when Romeo intervenes, Mercutio is killed. In anger Romeo mortally stabs Tybalt and is forced to flee to the distress of his parents, Montague (Derek Metz) and Lady Montague (Naomi Wright). Juliet, who is under pressure from her parents, Capulet (Duncan Fraser) and Lady Capulet (Colleen Wheeler) to marry the stately Paris (Haig Sutherland), agrees to feign her death by drinking a potion provided by an Apothecary (Christopher Weddell). Servants (Charles Christien Gallant and Ashley Liu) assist the lovers and help deliver secret messages. Ultimately, fate becomes the arbitrator of the couple’s future as well as the impetus for reconciliation between the hostile families.

A marriage of movement and words, Dean Paul Gibson’s vision of Romeo and Juliet is a simple, contemporary staging that incorporates classic contrasts and juxtaposes new love with historical violence. Noam Gagnon choreographs movement and dance into this sensual production. Staged on Set Designer Kevin McAllister’s neo-classical set, the evocative mood of Romeo and Juliet is enhanced through a spare and haunting soundscape from Sound Designers Meg Roe and Alessandro Juliani, and romantic lighting by Gerald King. Using ballet-like silhouettes, Mara Gottler’s costumes are a modern blend of classic lines, creating a gentle allusion to the doublets, tights and fairy-tale garments of days gone by. Nicholas Harrison stages the fights between the feuding families. Production Stage Manager Stephen Courtenay is assisted by Kelly Barker (Assistant Stage Manager) and Sarah Pearson (Apprentice Stage Manager). [Note: may contain partial nudity.]
Performance details for Romeo and Juliet are as follows:
• Previews: June 13, 14, 15; Opens: June 16
• Runs Tuesdays through Sundays from June 13 to September 22 – Mainstage tent in Vanier Park.
• Plays in repertory with The Taming of the Shrew.
• Forum: Shattering Illusions, New Perspective – Monday, July 9, 7 pm; led by SFU’s Paul Budra
• Celebrating Red & White wine event – wine event between shows on August 18.
Tickets are $31 (evenings); $20 to $26.50 (previews/matinees). Order on-site, by phone at 604-739-0559, or on-line at www.bardonthebeach.org. Season Sponsor is Starbucks and Production Sponsors for Romeo and Juliet are Jaguar/Land Rover.