Playbox celebrates the start of its 40th Anniversary Season with Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
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- 3 min read
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare marks the start of Playbox Theatre’s 40th Anniversary Season at The Dream Factory, Warwick from 12 to 14 February 2026. Directed by Mary King.
Review by Ann Evans.
Playbox Theatre’s production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is the first in their 40th Anniversary Season. This ever popular Shakespearean tragedy bringing us a love story that goes terribly wrong, has been staged many times all over the world by Playbox casts, always aiming to bring something new and different in their adaptations of this classic play.
This performance is set in a modern-day Verona, with sounds in particular resonating in a believable way for today’s audiences. Behind the scenes, a project was undertaken to research the sounds of today’s Verona resulting in the authentic sounds of birdsong native to the area; the distant tolling of church bells and the hum of the Piazza café. The costumes give the impression of elegance and respect and somehow span the two eras of present day and Shakespearean times, as does the masked ball.
But to start at the beginning, as is often the case with Playbox, the characters are on stage softly chatting as the audience arrive and take their seats. However, the start of this production certainly hits you out of the blue. The mood change is instant, totally unexpected, incredibly dramatic and brilliantly choreographed.
You immediately know that the cast are very well rehearsed and dedicated to bringing this play to life. For many of the characters there are huge amounts of dialogue to learn, understand and deliver, and there are some excellent performances from this young cast – all of whom are no older than eighteen.
Juliet Capulet is played beautifully by Sophie Rhodes, delivering her lines faultlessly, with clarity and emotion, and taking on the role of this immortal character with confidence and great aptitude. Her lover, Romeo Montague is also played excellently by Sam Almond. He is fast and eager with boundless energy as he wins Juliet’s heart. Good casting as the couple do look right together and the chemistry is there.
All the actors take on their roles really well, and while it’s impossible to mention everyone, a few of the other noteworthy performances included Juliet’s father, Capulet, played excellently by Dylan Somanathan – particularly in the powerfully emotional scene with Juliet where he informs her that she will marry Count Paris (Arthur Hamblett) or risk being disowned.
Tybalt played by Conor Davis takes on the role of this aggressive, angry young man perfectly; his on-stage presence is intimidating as he constantly adds fuel to the fire, keeping the hatred aflame between the two families of the Capulets and the Montagues.
Tom Quash as Mercutio plays this happy, witty and loyal friend to Romeo with style and good humour, and his death comes as a turning point in the story, transforming a gentle love story into a passionate tragedy.
There are many outstanding and memorable scenes in this production, and it has to be said that the fight scenes are breathtaking - brilliantly choreographed and (so it seems) no holds barred! Likewise, the family scenes involving Juliet and her heartless parents who choose their own social standing over their daughter’s happiness are equally as breathtaking.
And the famous death scene of Romeo and Juliet – beautifully acted by both characters; and of course their friends, relatives, and the people of Verona, who see the futility of the feud between the The House of Capulet and the House of Montague and a truce is born.
So another excellent production by Playbox Theatre, with more to come as they continue on the next 40 years of their journey.
For further details and tickets: https://www.playboxtheatre.com/events/romeo-juliet/
