The production will run from the 21st June until the 13th July.
Taking place this summer, the Guildford Shakespeare Company will bring Romeo & Juliet to the streets of Guildford for three weeks only as part of its 18th anniversary celebrations.
During the show, the production will visit: Guildhall balcony, historic Abbot’s Hospital, stylish Tunsgate Quarter and more as audiences follow the action through Guildford as the story unfolds, ending in the stunning Castle Gardens.
As well as a professional cast, the company will be joined by a Community Ensemble
of adults and young people.
Romeo & Juliet will be directed by GSC Co-Founder Matt Pinches who said: “Bringing
Shakespeare’s great love story to the actual streets of Guildford is a thrilling prospect. It’s a story bursting with passion, with hope, and with heart. Embracing our site-responsive approach imbues Shakespeare’s story with immediacy and energy, and I hope that audiences will feel swept up in the same whirlwind of excitement as these two young people find themselves. I’m so proud to be directing this show for our 18th birthday. To be closing the High Street for three weeks; using multiple iconic venues; two incredible community ensembles; and a brilliantly talented professional cast and creative team; is, I hope, the perfect way to celebrate the unifying power
that theatre, both making and going, wields.”
In addition to the professional cast, GSC has created two ensembles to help bring to life the world of Verona. The Youth Ensemble will play the street gangs of the Capulets and Montagues. Coming from local schools and GSC’s drama clubs, they will populate the opening scene of the play and the closing scene of the first half. The young people in this ensemble come from four local schools and colleges, two of which have some of the least advantaged children in their community. They are joined by GSC’s Saturday Drama Club and Drama Club for Young Carers. The Adult Ensemble will play the guests at the Capulet masked ball and have come from many different routes to the show. Some are amateur actors, some trained many years ago and have switched careers, some just love Shakespeare, and some just want to be part of something exciting.
In addition to the production, GSC are also creating a knife crime awareness programme. The company are visiting the schools who are part of the Youth Ensemble with special awareness workshops, whilst the GSC Saturdays drama group are creating a Forum Theatre event for public performance and discussion on 3 rd July, with guest speakers in attendance.
To book tickets visit: https://www.guildford-shakespeare-company.co.uk/romeo-and-juliet-2024/